*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 24306.doc* 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: January 14, 2003 Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418- 0511 e- mail: rkimball@ fcc. gov CONSUMER- FRIENDLY VERSION OF FCC’S ELECTRONIC COMMENT FILING SYSTEM LAUNCHED Simplified System Makes It Easier for Consumers to Participate in Commission Public Proceedings Washington, DC -- The Federal Communications Commission has launched ECFS Express, a simplified version of its very popular Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). ECFS Express is designed specifically with the consumer in mind. It is easy to use, focuses on topics rather than docket numbers, and requires minimal input by consumers seeking to participate in the Commission’s public rulemaking process. People wishing to comment simply click on a topic, fill in their personal information, write their comments and hit “send.” To access ECFS Express, users just click on the “File Comments” logo found on the front page of the FCC’s Web site – www. fcc. gov. ECFS Express will highlight the proceedings most likely to generate consumer interest. The topics will change periodically as new issues emerge. The original version of the Electronic Comment Filing System, which includes all docketed Commission proceedings, will still be available. K. Dane Snowden, the Chief of the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, which oversees ECFS and ECFS Express, said, “ECFS Express is ‘participation made easy. ’ By making the process more intuitive and less technical, all those interested in what we are doing at the FCC can have their voices heard. Our goal is to have as much of the public as possible participate in our rulemaking processes and ECFS Express goes a long way towards making this happen.” - FCC - CGB contact: Bill Cline at (202) 418- 0267. 1 2