Verizon Plans Network for Big Businesses

Verizon (VZ) - Get Report plans to announce Wednesday that it's creating a multinational network for big businesses, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The plan would put Verizon up against companies like

AT&T

(T) - Get Report

,

France Telecom

(FTE)

and

WorldCom

(WCOM)

, the newspaper reported in its online edition.

However, Verizon's plans face a hurdle. It can't offer long-distance service in 13 states, mainly on the Eastern Seaboard, home of many multinational corporations. The so-called Baby Bells are restricted from offering long distance service in their states until they prove the local phone service market is open to competitors.