Also. . .

Regional Bell operating firms Ameritech, Bell Atlantic Corp., BellSouth Corp., SBC Communications and US West joined dozens of high-tech companies and business groups urging Congress to reject a proposal that would put limits on the encryption technology used to protect computer files from outside access and allow U.S. law enforcement agencies to see otherwise secure computer files. The House Commerce Committee is expected to consider an encryption bill this week. . . . AT&T; Corp. is continuing to pare its work force by offering voluntary severance packages to 3,000 employees in more than 20 states and the District of Columbia, the company said. The long-distance firm expects between 150 and 300 employees to accept the package. The buyouts were offered to non-management employees in the business markets division and the network and computing services group, including some in California, a company spokesman said.