Is gargantuan LATA in the future

Bell Atlantic has asked the FCC for limited data relief for GTE Internetworking if and when the commission approves the carrier's acquisition of GTE.

The proposed scheme would establish a single LATA for GTE Internetworking's existing business, letting it continue operation even if the merged carrier has not yet received long-distance approval throughout the original Bell Atlantic territory. Relief would be granted only if Bell Atlantic had received long-distance approval for at least 25% of its lines.

The carrier likely will close the merger only after obtaining long-distance approval in New York, which contains more than 25% of Bell Atlantic's lines, said Mike Glover, associate general counsel for Bell Atlantic. The FCC has said it willissue its decision on the merger in the summer-and the carrier could receive long-distance approval as early as July, Glover said.

Bell Atlantic argues that preserving GTE Internetworking-formerly BBN Planet-will help preserve competition in the Internet backbone business against MCI WorldCom, Sprint, and Cable & Wireless.

"The Internet doesn't fit LATA boundaries," said Glover. "There's no way to peel off part of it."

A BellSouth spokesman argued that other regional Bell companies also should receive the type of data relief Bell Atlantic requests.

Time Warner Telecom signed a 20-year lease with Metromedia Fiber Network for dark fiber in New York and the New Jersey metropolitan area. Time Warner plans to use the fiber to support its local telephone service.

Teligent launched its SmartWave services in New Orleans, marking its 24th market. The company will offer small and medium-sized businesses high-speed Internet, long-distance and local services for a flat monthly rate.

GST Telecommunications is deploying a Nortel Networks' CVX 1800 access switch and CVX SS7 Gateway in 10 points of presence. The equipment will allow GST to move traffic off its Nortel DMS-500 voice switches onto a platform designed for ISP traffic.

RCN Corp. signed an agreement to provide phone, cable and Internet services to Burlington, Mass. With this agreement, and others reached during the last 18 months, RCN has local approval to serve over a half million homes in the Boston market.