Topeka ? State regulators and consumer advocates Thursday called for fines against SBC Kansas because the company has fallen behind on its promise to provide high-speed Internet service across the state.

The promise was part of a deal struck with the state in 1999, and since then SBC, formerly Southwestern Bell, had led state regulators to believe that it was proceeding on time in providing what is called DSL service in a number of communities.

But 3 1/2 weeks ago, SBC informed the staff of the Kansas Corporation Commission that it needed a five-month extension on the original deadline that would have completed the project in August.

“The magnitude of the error is significant,” Janet Buchanan, chief of telecommunications for the KCC, told the Senate Commerce Committee.

Both the KCC staff and the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board have called for penalties from between $100 and $1,000 per day and per offense.

But SBC said that like most large projects, delays have occurred and it simply needs more time.

Randy Tomlin, president of SBC Kansas, said the company’s commitment to the project has not wavered.

“We continue to work closely with the Kansas Corporation Commission on finalizing this significant and highly technical effort,” he said.

The Commerce Committee took no action. Chairwoman Karin Brownlee, R-Olathe, said she wanted Buchanan to keep the committee up to date on the issue.