House committee approves SBC deregulation bill

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A bill to remove SBC from state regulation of its telephone rates won overwhelming approval in a state House committee Tuesday. <br><br>Supporters say the telecommunications industry

Tuesday, March 23rd 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A bill to remove SBC from state regulation of its telephone rates won overwhelming approval in a state House committee Tuesday.

Supporters say the telecommunications industry has changed and it's unfair for SBC to be regulated more strictly than its competitors.

Opponents say because SBC controls more than 80% of telephone service in Oklahoma and will lead to higher phone rates.

The bill has passed the state Senate and a similar bill has passed the state House and is pending in the Senate.

The bills are expected to be sent to a House-Senate conference committee where a final version would be written.