Spurred by global deregulation, two foreign telecommunications giants applied Thursday for a license in Japan in a bid to become the country's first such foreign-owned firms.

WorldCom Communications Japan Ltd., the Japanese subsidiary of U.S.-based WorldCom Inc., applied to the Post and Telecommunications Ministry, seeking a type 1 carrier license that would allow it to operate independently with its own lines in Japan.

British Telecommunications PLC (BT) also said Thursday it plans to apply for a type-1 license in Japan. The application is expected as BT is to launch a subsidiary by the end of the month.