TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Pac Tel Seeks U.S. Support to Offer Long-Distance Service: Pacific Telesis, the parent company of Pacific Bell, asked the Justice Department to support its request to offer such service within California and to points out of state and to carry “800” calls terminating in the state. Regional phone companies such as Pacific Bell are barred from entering such markets under the consent decree governing the breakup of AT&T.; As of now, approval to carry long-distance calls would have to come from Justice and the U.S. District Court that issued the decree. However, Congress, after failing to do so last year, seems poised to pass legislation that would open long-distance markets.