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 NEWS  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.  Circ  1974).  News  Media  Information  202  /  418-  0500  Internet:  http://  www.  fcc.  gov  TTY:  1-  888-  835-  5322 
 For  Immediate  Release:  News  Media  Contact:  December  31,  2002  Rosemary  Kimball  at  (202)  418-  0511 
 e-  mail:  rkimball  @fcc.  gov 
 NEW  YEAR’S  RESOLUTIONS  FOR  TELECOM  CONSUMERS 
 Washington,  DC  –  The  FCC’s  Consumer  &  Governmental  Affairs  Bureau  (CGB)  has  some  suggestions  for  New  Year’s  Resolutions  to  help  telecom  consumers  in  2003. 


 1.  I  will  check  my  telephone  bill  carefully  every  month  to  be  sure  I  have  not  been  slammed  (http://  www.  fcc.  gov/  cgb/  consumerfacts/  slamming.  html)  or  crammed 
 (http://  www.  fcc.  gov/  cgb/  consumerfacts/  cramming.  html). 
 2.  I  will  investigate  whether  a  pre-  paid  calling  card  could  save  me  money  on  my  long-distance  calls  (  http://  www.  fcc.  gov/  cgb/  consumerfacts/  prepaidcards.  html). 


 3.  When  signing  up  for  wireless  phone  service,  I  will  read  the  contract  thoroughly,  insist  that  I  be  given  a  period  of  time  to  test  the  phone  and  service  before  being  tied  to  a  long-  term 
 contract,  and  educate  myself  on  wireless  service  in  general  (http://  www.  fcc.  gov/  cgb/  wirelessphone.  pdf). 


 4.  I  will  learn  about  the  nationwide  conversion  to  digital  television,  the  most  important  change  in  television  since  the  introduction  of  color.  I  will  learn  how  it  will  affect  my  television 
 broadcast  service,  and  what  steps  I  must  take  myself  to  receive  TV  programming  after  the  conversion  is  complete.  (http://  www.  fcc.  gov/  cgb/  consumerfacts/  digitaltv.  html). 


 5.  I  will  familiarize  myself  with  the  rules  about  telemarketing  calls,  including  when  the  calls  are  allowed,  the  information  the  caller  must  give,  how  to  get  on  the  caller’s  do-  not-  call  list, 
 and  what  I  can  do  if  the  calls  continue  (http://  www.  fcc.  gov/  cgb/  consumerfacts/  tcpa.  html) 
 These  are  just  a  few  suggestions  to  get  you  started.  CGB  has  much  more  information  for  consumers  on  the  web  site  –  www.  fcc.  gov/  cgb.  In  addition,  you  can  call  CGB’s  Consumer 


 Centers  with  inquiries  or  complaints  at  1-  888-  225-  5322  (CALL  FCC)  voice;  1-  888-  835-  5322  (TELL  FCC)  TTY.  Both  numbers  are  toll-  free. 


 -  FCC  - 
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