SBC lowers long-distance rates for bundled services

SBC Communications Inc. on Thursday reduced its long-distance calling rates for consumers to a flat monthly rate in an attempt to ward off competition and retain customers.

SBC, the No. 2 U.S. local telephone company, said its new residential service package will include unlimited local and domestic, long-distance calls, caller ID, and voice messaging for $52.95 a month in Missouri.

That means those who subscribe to the plan can make unlimited calls to anywhere in the state or in the country for that flat rate, SBC said.

The package will be offered in this area initially in places like Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City, Sikeston and Poplar Bluff. If the response is positive, then SBC said it will expand to places like Marble Hill and Kennett.

"It's the first step in offering some of the lowest priced, most robust and unlimited calling solutions for our residential customers," said Marsha Haskell, regional director-external affairs for the Southeast Missouri area.

"It is in response to other competitive plans out there that are primarily being offered in metropolitan areas."