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Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 |
News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 202/418-2555 |
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). |
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RESOLVES SEVERAL PENDING TELEPHONE SLAMMING ISSUES The Internet Can Now Be Used as a Valid Authorization and Verification Method for Consumers to Change Their Preferred Telephone Company |
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Washington, D.C. – Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules designed to improve the process for consumers to choose their preferred telephone carrier, while making it more difficult for unscrupulous carriers to continue the illegal practice of telephone slamming. Section 258 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 makes it unlawful for any telecommunications carrier to change a consumer’s telephone carrier except in accordance with the Commission's verification procedures. Any carrier that violates these procedures is liable to the subscriber's authorized carrier for all charges collected. With today’s action, the Commission resolved the vast majority of the remaining open slamming issues. Also, combined with a recent court decision lifting the stay on the Commission’s liability rules, this action brings the Commission’s anti-slamming rules to full force. With the Commission’s adoption of today’s Third Report and Order and Second Order on Reconsideration, the Commission is permitting preferred carrier changes to be conducted electronically through the use of Internet Letters of Agency (LOAs). Internet LOAs must comply with all current Commission authorization and verification requirements, and consumers must have the option of using alternative authorization and verification methods, such as written LOAs or independent third party verification. Additionally, with today’s action, the Commission:
Today’s Order also contains a Second Order on Reconsideration, in which the Commission, among other things, upholds its rules governing the submission of preferred carrier freeze orders, reaffirms its decision not to preempt state regulations governing verification procedures for preferred carrier change requests that are consistent with the provisions of Section 258, and adopts a 60-day limit on the amount of time an LOA confirming a carrier change request should be considered valid.
Background on Slamming In May 2000, the Commission amended certain aspects of the slamming liability rules. The Order addressed only those issues relating to the Commission’s liability rules, which had been stayed by the D.C. Circuit the prior year. With today’s action, the Commission adopts a number of proposals discussed in the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released with the December 1999 Order, and also addresses the remaining issues that were raised on reconsideration. Action by the Commission July 20, 2000, by Third Report and Order and Second Order on Reconsideration (FCC 00-255). Chairman Kennard and Commissioners Ness, Furchtgott-Roth, Powell and Tristani. CC Docket No. 94-129
Common Carrier Bureau Contacts: Michele Walters or Dana Walton-Bradford at 202-418-7400
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