**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News Media contact:**

**SEPTEMBER 23, 1999 Michael Balmoris at (202) 418-0253**

> **Email:** <mbalmori@fcc.gov>

**FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AND FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO HOLD
JOINT PUBLIC FORUM**

**ON ADVERTISING OF LONG DISTANCE SERVICES**

***Joint Forum Underscores Intergovernmental Agency Cooperation to***

***Protect Consumer Interests***

Washington, DC \-- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) announce that they will convene a joint
public forum on November 4, 1999, to address the advertising and
marketing of long distance services, including dial‑around services ‑‑
often called "10‑10" numbers. The forum will provide an opportunity for
government, industry, and consumer groups to discuss recent trends in
how these long‑distance services are advertised and what principles
should guide industry advertising.

As a result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and long‑standing FCC
policies designed to foster competition in the long‑distance
telecommunications market, many companies are offering consumers a
variety of choices in long‑distance calling. While consumers benefit
from being able to choose the particular service that best meets their
long‑distance needs, some consumers report being confused and often
misled by the nature of the claims made by companies in their
advertisements. New services, including "10‑10" numbers and discount
calling plans, are heavily promoted in prime‑time TV commercials, in
national newspaper and magazine campaigns, and through major direct mail
promotions.

The FCC and the FTC have determined that a joint public forum would be
an appropriate way to give interested individuals an opportunity to
explore the issues raised by the advertising and marketing of these
services. For example, participants at the forum will examine mock ads
and discuss whether the ads fail to adequately disclose the actual cost
to consumers for using the services, or only reveal in fine print
important information about additional fees or other charges.

(over)

The forum will convene at 8:30 a.m. on November 4th at FCC Headquarters
at 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC, in the Commission Meeting Room.
The morning session will focus on the current state of long‑distance
advertising, including dial‑around services, as well as applicable law.
The afternoon session will feature analysis, by panelists, of mock
advertisements for long‑distance services and a discussion about what
can be done to ensure that ads for long‑distance telephone service
provide consumers with truthful information on which to make informed
purchasing decisions.

The FTC vote to publish the *Federal Register* notice announcing the
public forum

was 4-0.

\###

**NOTE:** Copies of the Federal Register notice announcing the joint
public forum, the agenda, and other materials will be available from the
FTC's web site at http://www.ftc.gov, the FCC's web site at
http://www.fcc.gov and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center,
Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580;
877‑FTC‑HELP (877‑382‑4357); TDD for the hearing impaired 202‑326‑2502.
To find out the latest news as it is announced, call the FTC NewsPhone
recording at 202‑326‑2710.

**MEDIA CONTACTS:**

Federal Trade Commission, Mitchell J. Katz at 202‑326‑2161

Federal Communications Commission, Mike Balmoris at 202‑418‑0253
([mbalmori@fcc.gov]{.underline})

**STAFF CONTACTS:**

Federal Trade Commission, Marianne Schwanke at 202‑326‑3165 or Lee
Peeler at 202‑326‑3090

Federal Communications Commission, Lynn Vermillera at 202‑418‑7120

\- FCC -