Justice Department recommends BellSouth long-distance bid in 5 states

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department Tuesday recommended regulatory approval of BellSouth Corporation&#39;s application to provide long-distance services in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. <br> <br> The department made its recommendation to the Federal Communications Commission, which has final say in the telephone company&#39;s bid. <br> <br> The department said it recognizes BellSouth has made substantial progress but anticipates further improvement in the process through which upgrades to certain software are developed. <br> <br> A 1996 law permits the Bell companies to enter the long-distance market by assuring regulators their local markets are open to competition. <br> <br> BellSouth, based in Atlanta, serves nearly 45 million customers in the United States and 14 other countries.