Long-distance companies gain ground in telecom war. (Texas' telecommunications laws)

Twilight has fallen on the battle to reform Texas' telecom laws, and long-distance telephone companies captured a small piece of territory.

After passing Texas' House of Representatives, a bill opening Texas' local telephone markets to competition just passed a Senate committee, where a small - yet significant - change was made. The committee passed the bill on May 9, adding language that allows AT&T Co. and MCI Communications Corp. to compete in Texas' local telephone market without any strings attached when and if Southwestern Bell gains the right to enter the long-distance arena.

The Senate is expected to vote on the bill around May 12.

Long-distance telephone companies such as AT&T and MCI furiously worked to convince Senate members to rewrite parts of the telecom bill. Amendments addressing their concerns - the strict requirements forcing long-distance companies to build extensive telephone networks and the high access fees Southwestern Bell charges when it transfers a long-distance telephone call to a local number - failed during previous Senate committee votes.

"It's a good indication that …