AT&T AND MCI SETTLE 800 CALL INFO DISPUTE.BASKING RIDGE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 4, 1995--AT&T today announced that it has reached an agreement to settle its complaint against MCI (1) (Media Control Interface) A high-level programming interface from Microsoft and IBM for controlling multimedia devices. It provides commands and functions to open, play and close the device. (2) (Microwave Communications Inc. Telecommunications Communicating information, including data, text, pictures, voice and video over long distance. See communications. Corporation involving MCI's 1-800-CALL-INFO directory assistance service. Under the settlement, MCI will make changes in the service that will protect the public's interests and trust in the toll-free status of 800 services. The agreement requires MCI to cease its practice of automatically charging for calls to its 800 number for directory information based on the electronic identification of the callers' numbers. Contingent on Adj. 1. contingent on - determined by conditions or circumstances that follow; "arms sales contingent on the approval of congress" contingent upon, dependant on, dependant upon, dependent on, dependent upon, depending on, contingent that change, and upon the Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission (FCC), independent executive agency of the U.S. government established in 1934 to regulate interstate and foreign communications in the public interest. (FCC (1) (Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC, www.fcc.gov) The U.S. government agency that regulates interstate and international communications including wire, cable, radio, TV and satellite. The FCC was created under the U.S. ) approval of the settlement, AT&T will drop its complaint that MCI's practice violated vi·o·late tr.v. vi·o·lat·ed, vi·o·lat·ing, vi·o·lates 1. To break or disregard (a law or promise, for example). 2. To assault (a person) sexually. 3. the 1992 Federal Telephone and Dispute Resolution Act. The law restricts telephone companies and information providers from charging customers for calling 800 numbers. Callers to MCI's service will now be required to use credit cards, calling cards or establish alternative billing arrangements with MCI in advance of their calls. MCI has agreed to make these modifications by January 7. "This means that callers will no longer have to fear dialing 800 numbers and automatically being charged. And businesses don't need to concern themselves with policing these calls from their premises," said Kenneth Sichau, AT&T's marketing vice president. "It's great news for the entire industry! "This is precisely the outcome we had requested when we filed our complaint in October. We will continue our efforts at the FCC to preserve and strengthen rules that protect consumers from abusive Tending to deceive; practicing abuse; prone to ill-treat by coarse, insulting words or harmful acts. Using ill treatment; injurious, improper, hurtful, offensive, reproachful. or unfair practices involving toll-free 800 service." CONTACT: AT&T, Basking Ridge
Michael Lordi
908-221-6382 (office)
215-559-7765 (home)
Gary Morgenstern
908 221-6153 (office)
201 884-2110 (home)
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