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TTY: 202/418-2555
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).
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 21, 1999 |
News Media Contact: Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0500 |
CHAIRMAN WILLIAM E. KENNARD STATEMENT
ON TELMEX-AT&T SETTLEMENT RATE AGREEMENT
Today's announcement that AT&T and Telmex have finalized an agreement on settlement rates for the United States-Mexico route could signal an important victory for U.S. consumers. I am pleased that, after nearly two years of negotiations, Telmex and AT&T have concluded a settlement rate agreement that achieves more substantial reductions than the agreement that was rejected by the International Bureau last November and that, significantly, achieves the benchmark rate of 19 cents six months before the Commission's deadline. The agreement is a credit to the sustained efforts of U.S. carriers and Telmex, as well as the Commission and COFETEL, our Mexican counterpart, to reduce the price of calls to Mexico.
Once the agreement is filed with the Commission, interested parties will have an opportunity to comment on the agreement and the Commission will review it to ensure that it complies with our rules. I am aware that negotiations between Telmex and other U.S. carriers are not yet completed. I encourage the prompt conclusion of these negotiations so that the Commission can move forward with its review of all the accounting rate agreements between Telmex and U.S. carriers.