FCC Fines SBC for Violating Conditions

SBC Communications Inc. was fined $6 million by the Federal Communications Commission, the largest penalty ever imposed by the agency, for not giving competitors access to its telephone network as required.

The FCC said it found SBC repeatedly violated conditions requiring the company to provide lines and switches to local competitors as quickly as the carrier does its own units.

SBC shares fell 12 cents to $20.36 on the NYSE.