*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 8214.doc* NEWS News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Cir. 1974). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: February 20, 2001 John Winston (202) 418- 7450 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION FINES MATRIX TELECOM, INC. FOR FAILURE TO MAKE REQUIRED UNIVERSAL SERVICE CONTRIBUTIONS Washington, D. C. -- Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) found Matrix Telecom, Inc. (“ Matrix”) liable for a forfeiture in the amount of $113,000. The Commission found that Matrix failed to make its universal service contributions for November and December 1999, and thus violated the statutory and regulatory requirements that interstate telecommunications providers make contributions to foster universal service. In the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress mandated that the FCC establish mechanisms to collect contributions to preserve and advance universal service. In 1997, the FCC authorized the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to perform the administrative tasks as well as the billing and collections functions necessary for the universal service program. The FCC oversees the administration of the universal service program and imposes sanctions on carriers that fail to meet their full obligations. Action by the Commission, February 8, 2001, by Forfeiture Order (FCC 01- 48), Chairman Powell, Commissioners Ness, Furtchgott- Roth, and Tristani. File No. EB- 00- IH- 0057. - FCC – Enforcement Bureau Contacts: John Winston at (202) 418- 7450 or William Knowles- Kellett at (717) 338- 2505 1