FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
  March 1, 2000
  
  
                     PRESS STATEMENT OF
               COMMISSIONER GLORIA TRISTANI 
        REGARDING THE JOINT FTC/FCC POLICY STATEMENT
             FOR THE ADVERTISING OF DIAL-AROUND
       AND OTHER LONG-DISTANCE SERVICES TO CONSUMERS
                              
                                
  Truthful advertising is critical for consumers to make informed choices in today's
  competitive marketplace.  I applaud today's joint effort between the FCC and the FTC,
  which joins the FCC's common carrier expertise with the FTC's advertising law
  expertise.  The guidelines put telecom providers on notice regarding what are and are not
  acceptable advertising practices.  Consumers want and deserve full information about
  what they are buying before they pick up the phone. 
  
  
                          - FCC -