FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: July 9, 1999 Emily Hoffnar 202/418-0253 FCC to Ensure that All Consumers Benefit from Long Distance Competition Yesterday the Federal Communications Commission redoubled its commitment to ensuring that all consumers -- including low-volume users of long distance service -- reap benefits from the highly competitive long distance market. As a result of FCC pro-consumer, pro-competitive policies, many residential and business consumers have enjoyed overall reductions in their long distance rates. Some long-distance customers, however, are now paying flat charges to their long distance carriers. As part of its continuing effort to ensure that all Americans benefit from a robust and competitive communications marketplace, the Commission launched an inquiry into the effect of certain flat charges on low-volume users of interstate long-distance service. The inquiry also asks industry and consumer groups to comment on a number of innovative pricing options that may have the effect of ameliorating the impact of such flat-rated charges on low-volume, long distance users. The Commission fully recognizes, however, the competitive nature of the long distance market in this country and has no intention of imposing any unnecessary regulations on this competitive industry. Action by the Commission, July 8, 1999, by Notice of Inquiry in CC Docket No. 99-249 (FCC 99-168); Chairman Kennard, Commissioners Ness and Tristani; Commissioner Ness issuing a statement; Commissioner Powell concurring and issuing a statement; Commissioner Furchtgott- Roth dissenting and issuing a statement. Common Carrier Bureau contact: Neil Fried (202) 418-1530; TTY: (202) 418-2555. Report No: CC 99-25 CC Docket No.: 99-249 -FCC-