TELMEX USA Alerts the Mexican-American Community About a Prepaid Telephone Card Printed With an Unauthorized TELMEX Logo, for Calling From the USA to Mexico.

Business Editors

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 2002

TELMEX USA, LLC alerts the Mexican-American community that a Prepaid Telephone Card printed with an unauthorized TELMEX logo for calling from the USA to Mexico is possibly still being sold in the USA.

The card has the following images: the Statue of Liberty is on the left side of the card, a TELMEX logo with a white border is in the middle, and on the right side is a Mayan pyramid. The back of the card states that service is provided either by Televia Communications or "Televiva". This card sells in either $10.00 or $20.00 denominations.

The calling card, created by Mactel Communications Corporation of Atlanta, Georgia, purports to permit telephone calls to be made from the United States to Mexico using a telecommunications carrier that is variously identified on the cards as either "Televia Communications" or "Televiva". However, TELMEX USA never licensed Mactel or anyone else to create prepaid calling cards for calling from the United States to Mexico.

In an Order dated February 25, 2002, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia entered a temporary restraining order against Mactel, NuStar Telephone Company, Inc. and their principle, Joseph Macaluso, Jr., enjoining them from using the TELMEX mark and from doing any other act or thing `calculated or likely to induce the belief that Defendants are in any way affiliated with ... [or] licensed by' Telmex USA.'"

Recently, TELMEX USA was advised that the unauthorized cards are continuing to be sold in Nevada, Illinois, and Kansas. TELMEX USA therefore issues this alert to warn consumers about the continuing presence of the unauthorized calling cards in the marketplace.

Javier Rosado, CEO of TELMEX USA, states, "We are concerned that our customers, trusting in the TELMEX brand, are purchasing this card unaware that this is not our product. TELMEX can't guarantee our customers the competitive rates, customer service, or clear connections they expect, should they purchase this particular prepaid calling card. The card has an unauthorized TELMEX logo on the front and on the back-side states that Televia Communications is the telecommunications carrier." Furthermore, "TELMEX USA is not offering a prepaid calling card for calls from the US to Mexico at this time, however the company expects to launch its own TELMEX brand PrePaid Phone Card in the near future."

As these products are launched, TELMEX USA will advise the media in order to alert the Mexican-American community of valid TELMEX products and services offered by TELMEX USA. The company does offer a prepaid card only valid for calls from Mexico to the US and has agreements with Norte Direct and Planet Telecom."

The company asks that should you find the unauthorized calling cards for sale, please advise us at 858 505 3900.