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 FCC NEWS

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
445 12th STREET S.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554

News media information 202/418-0500
TTY 202/418-2555
Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830
Internet http://www.fcc.gov
ftp://ftp.fcc.gov
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission Action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 516 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 January 11, 2002
 NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
 John Winston (202) 418-7450
Jwinston@fcc.gov



FCC IMPOSES $1,107,500 FINE AGAINST 21st CENTURY FAX(ES)
FOR VIOLATING ``JUNK FAX'' PROHIBITION

Washington, D.C. - Today the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) has released an order imposing a $1,107,500 fine against 21st Century Fax(es) Ltd. (21st Century) for faxing unsolicited advertisements to consumers in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and Commission rules. This is the largest single fine ever imposed by the Commission for violation of the TCPA.

The Commission determined that 21st Century violated the TCPA and the Commission's rules on 152 separate occasions, even after receiving a written warning from the Commission's Enforcement Bureau indicating that subsequent violations could result in monetary fines. The unsolicited faxes, which advertise various opinion polls, provide a pay-per-call number that recipients must dial in order to register a vote or express an opinion.

Action by the Commission on January 9, 2002 by Forfeiture Order, (FCC 02-2). Chairman Powell; Commissioners Abernathy, Copps and Martin.

File No. EB-00-TC-174

Enforcement Bureau contacts: John Winston at (202) 418-7450 and Mary Romano at (202) 418-0975.