FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2002

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: John Winston (202) 418-7450 Jwinston@fcc.gov

Washington, D.C. - Today, the Federal Communications Commission ruled that MCI Communications Corporation and AT&T Corporation violated the Communications Act by the manner in which they provided directory assistance services to consumers.

MCI and AT&T both had tariffs on file with the Commission that allowed customers to obtain up to two listings on each directory assistance call. Three consumers alleged that they had not been given a reasonable opportunity to make two requests for listings because both carriers used recorded prompts that asked callers to make only a single listing request, and did not disclose the procedures for callers to obtain a second listing. The Commission found the carriers' practices unjust and unreasonable under Section 201(b) of the Communications Act.

This matter originated as two class action lawsuits filed in federal district courts. The courts, pursuant to the doctrine of primary jurisdiction, requested that the FCC determine whether the practices at issue were unjust and unreasonable under section 201(b) of the Communications Act.

Action by the Commission on March 12, 2002, by Declaratory Order, (FCC-02-71).

Chairman Powell; Commissioners Abernathy, Copps, and Martin.

File No. EB-00-TC-F-003

File No. EB-00-TC-F-004

Enforcement Bureau Contacts: John Winston at (202) 418-7450 or Sharon Lee at (202) 418-7534.