News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Jim Palmer, Director of Information

Phone: (405) 522-2100, FAX: (405) 522-1623, www.occeweb.com

April 8, 1999

COMMISSION APPROVES RECORD SLAMMING FINE AGAINST FEIST

(OKLAHOMA CITY)- The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has unanimously ordered the largest slamming fine in its history as part of a settlement with Feist Long Distance Service now doing business as Advanced Communications Group. On a 3-0 vote, Commissioners Ed Apple, Bob Anthony and Denise Bode approved the settlement which includes a $200,000 fine and intense regulatory oversight of Feist Long Distance over the next three years.

The order says Feist must pay $50,000 within 45 days, and each April 10 for the next three years faces another $50,000 fine for a total of $200,000 unless it receives fewer than 10 slamming complaints and complies with a required series of reports to the Commission’s Consumer Services Division.

Feist is also ordered within 30 days to send a letter to all its Oklahoma customers surveying customer satisfaction, with detailed descriptions of optional service offerings and allowing customers to "opt out" of any services not ordered. The letter is to be accompanied by a self-addressed and stamped envelope for customers to respond.

Commission chairman Ed Apple called the company’s actions "wrong." He commended the citizens who came forward saying "they did the right thing by reporting their slamming incidents to the Commission." Apple joined Bode and Anthony in praising the staff for "an excellent job investigating and resolving the issues."

Commissioner Bob Anthony said "by today’s settlement, the Commission sends a strong message that companies doing business in Oklahoma are expected to follow the rules. We welcome competition but we also insist that companies compete ethically and fairly to bring the best benefits to the citizens of Oklahoma."

Commissioner Denise Bode said "this is a huge victory for Oklahoma consumers. The message to companies is if you don’t police yourselves, we will. And I will not tolerate consumers being abused." Bode added, "to Feist’s credit, they have owned up to their mistakes and I commend them for that. However, the Commission has in place a $50,000 per year penalty if they don’t comply."

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