Senate Bill 1119 was approved by the House Energy and Utility Regulation Committee. It sends to the full House a bill that removes SBC Oklahoma from regulation by the state Corporation Commission.

"It's time to give the market a chance," said Don Cain, president of SBC Oklahoma.

Opponents -- which include Cox Communications and AT&T -- say the bill allows taxes and regulatory fees on e-mail and voice over the Internet.

"The SBC deregulation bill is bad business for Oklahoma," said Wauneta Browne, AT&T Assistant Vice President for Law and Government Affairs. "There are no Band-Aid fixes for this bill -- this bill needs a body cast in order for it to become acceptable for consumers in Oklahoma."

The bill won't lead to Internet taxes, Cain said. He said it will lead to more competition and investment in rural Oklahoma.

SB 1119 will allow SBC Oklahoma to increase its rates by $2 each month, or $24 a year.