By CBS MarketWatch
Last Updated: 10/28/2004 12:05:02 AM

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- SBC Communications plans a major price cut for high-speed Internet customers who also buy the company’s local and long-distance phone service, according to a published report Wednesday.

SBC plans to charge $19.95 for digital subscriber line, or DSL service, to new subscribers who also sign up for its local and long-distance phone plan for an additional $48.95, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The move is meant to counter Internet-calling plans offered by some rivals, the Journal said, and to get customers to migrate away from traditional long-distance providers such as MCI (MCIP) and AT&T (T), the newspaper reported.

DSL providers are also in a battle with cable operators, who can currently offer faster high-speed Internet service than DSL.

SBC (SBC) rose 21 cents to close at $24.96 on Wednesday.