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Sprint Launches Bundled Local, Long-Distance, Wireless Service

Posted on: Thursday, 28 August 2003, 06:00 CDT

Aug. 28--Sprint has launched local telephone service in Buffalo and throughout New York state, increasing choices for consumers in the former monopoly market.

The long-distance carrier is bundling local, long-distance and wireless service, following moves by competitors like Verizon.

Under its "Complete Sense" plan, Sprint is marketing local and long-distance service at prices starting at $34.99 before taxes, including 50 minutes of long distance. At the high end, the service costs $179.99 for unlimited long-distance and nationwide wireless. More information is available at Sprint's Web site, www.sprint.com.

Sprint had previously offered local service in New York in 1999, when long-distance carriers were allowed into the market. It withdrew in 2001, citing disappointing results.

A ruling by the Federal Communications Commission last week prompted Sprint to renew its local offer, the company said. The FCC ruling allowed carriers like Sprint to continue leasing local phone networks from incumbent telephone companies, under state regulation.

Verizon is the dominant seller of local service for the residential market, according to the state Public Service Commission. AT&T is a distant second, followed by MCI. All have rolled out plans that combine local and long-distance services.

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To see more of The Buffalo News, N.Y., or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.buffalonews.com.

(c) 2003, The Buffalo News, N.Y. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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