AT&T;, Verizon get rule exemptions
From Times Wire Services
AT&T; Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. can each merge their local and long-distance telephone operations with fewer government restrictions than some rivals wanted, U.S. regulators said.
The Federal Communications Commission agreed to exempt the two biggest U.S. phone companies from price caps and other so-called dominant-carrier rules on long-distance service.
Qwest Communications International Inc. won the same type of exemption in February.
