The commission estimated that the savings would be worth about $2 a month to the average long-distance customer.

Traditionally, long-distance customers have paid for calls by the minute.

It now controls 81 percent of long-distance customers and more than 95 percent in local service, where independent companies arrived just last year.

Some 500 companies are fighting for long-distance customers.

Complaints from long-distance customers who are footing the bill have dwindled.

It might turn out that the Universal card attracts more long-distance customers.

All the rule changes would affect large long-distance customers like corporations, universities and state governments.

It now controls 81 percent of long-distance customers, up from a low around 70 percent.

Besides being tarnished by scandal, now they've raised rates for long-distance customers three times in the last few months.

The breakup ended subsidies of local service by long-distance customers.