Kentucky regulators approve BellSouth long-distance bid

FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY - The Kentucky Public Service Commission informed the Federal Communications Commission Friday that BellSouth has met the requirements to provide unrestricted long-distance service. <br> <br> The federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 gives regional telephone companies unrestricted access to the long-distance market once they have opened their local market to competition. <br> <br> The FCC has 90 days to make the final decision on BellSouth&#39;s entry into the long-distance market in Kentucky after the company files its request with the commission. Georgia and Louisiana have similar situations pending before the federal commission. <br> <br> Kentucky is the fifth state to recommend that BellSouth provide unrestricted long-distance service, following South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia and Louisiana.