AT&T; to Boost Rates for Some Customers

AT&T; Corp., the biggest U.S. long-distance telephone company, will raise prices for some customers Jan. 1 after sales fell and rivals increased rates.

New residential subscribers to AT&T;’s 7-cents-a-minute plan will pay a monthly fee of $4.95, $1 more than current customers, spokesman Gary Morgenstern said. Rates for services such as operator-assisted calls also will rise, according to AT&T;’s Internet site.

Shares of New York-based AT&T; fell 6 cents to $26.75 on the New York Stock Exchange.