SBC to Pay $3.6 Million to End Inquiries on Data

SBC Communications Inc. agreed to pay $3.6 million to end two government inquiries on inaccurate data the company submitted before winning approval to sell long-distance telephone service in at least three states, federal regulators said.

The second-biggest U.S. local-phone operator, which didn’t admit guilt in the agreement, said it also would improve training for employees who interact with government officials, the Federal Communications Commission said.

Regional phone companies such as SBC must prove their local networks are open to rivals before the FCC will let them sell long-distance in states where they dominate local calling.

SBC provided inaccurate information about systems competitors use to get network access in Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri, where the company also sells long-distance, the FCC said.

The problems with the data resulted from “describing highly technical matters and [were] not the product of any intent to mislead the commission,” said SBC Vice President Priscilla Hill-Ardoin.

Shares of San Antonio-based SBC rose 31 cents to $35.38 on the New York Stock Exchange.