Phone Companies to Cut Access Fees

Local phone companies filed plans with federal regulators to slash the fees that they charge long-distance phone companies to connect to their networks. If the rate cuts go into effect, phone customers could see lower long-distance fees from the likes of No. 1 AT&T; Corp., which pass access fees along to customers. Wednesday was the deadline for local phone companies to file an annual reduction with the Federal Communications Commission, which reviews them before the reductions can become final.