Government gives BellSouth right to sell long-distance in five states

WASHINGTON - Federal regulators approved BellSouth Corporation&#39;s request to offer long-distance telephone service in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. <br> <br> The Federal Communications Commission gave the go-ahead Wednesday with a 4-0 vote, following the lead of regulators in the five states who have already approved the application. <br> <br> The agency said in a statement that the approval promises to benefit consumers through more competition in both the local and long distance markets. <br> <br> FCC spokesman Michael Balmoris said the FCC has previously approved applications for two states at once, but this latest action is the first time the agency has approved a five-state request. <br> <br> BellSouth Chairman Duane Ackerman said the company will begin offering long-distance packages in these states on September 27 <br> <br> In May, the FCC allowed Atlanta-based BellSouth to offer long-distance service in Georgia and Louisiana. <br> <br> The company said it would soon seek FCC approval to provide such service in Florida and Tennessee.