Only New York has allowed a Baby Bell to offer long distance.

They also offer more distance between the two bearing surfaces, which contributes to stiffness while allowing lighter components.

The seminary also offers several distance learning courses online.

Today, Telemar and its subsidiaries offer local, long distance and international voice and data services, besides a growing mobile phone network.

It offers distance and some classroom education.

Qwest said it now expected to gain state and federal approval to offer long distance in at least some states as early as September.

"We will be able to offer long distance, local, data and the full suite of telecommunications services," Mr. Ellenberger said yesterday.

And the Ameritech Corporation, which offers local service in five Midwestern states, plans to file for permission to offer long distance next week.

"We have an interactive relationship with our consumers," he added, "so when we started offering long distance we converted one million lines in six months."

At first, these companies would not be allowed to offer long distance in their home markets, but eventually they are expected to be able to compete everywhere.