Also

* SBC Communications Inc., the second-largest U.S. local-telephone company, failed to win Justice Department support for its bids to enter the $7-billion market for long-distance service in Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana. The FCC, which can rule independently of the Justice Department’s recommendation, is expected to make its decision by Oct. 15.

* Ford Motor Co. faces an upgraded investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of about 140,000 of its 2001-03 model Lincoln Town Cars because side air bags may inflate unexpectedly when the sedans hit a pothole or debris.

* General Electric Co., the world’s biggest jet-engine maker, said it won a maintenance contract from discount carrier AirTran Airways Inc. valued at $600 million over 15 years.

* Electronic Data Systems Corp. could cut more jobs than the 2,700 it already plans to eliminate if it could find new areas to cut costs, the technology-consulting company said in a regulatory filing.