In exchange, the phone companies would have to accept greater competition and open their networks to new rivals.

Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, phone companies were required to open their networks to independent providers of voice or data communications to encourage competition.

In exchange, it would require them to open their networks to new rivals like cable television companies.

And Congress is considering legislation that would let telephone companies offer cable television programming if they opened their networks to new competitors.

First Congregational was one of many to take up offerings and to open its networks after the fire.

He seemed to believe, in fact, that the local offsprings of Ma Bell had not opened their networks enough to merit approval.

The act held out the long-distance market as the carrot that was meant to entice the Bells to open their networks to competitors.

They decided to require the big local phone companies to open their networks.

It is true that under current law the cable companies do not have to open their networks to competitors, while the Bell companies do.

He is pressing for legislation to lift key restrictions on the Bell telephone companies while forcing them to open their networks to new rivals.