*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 43453.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 CONTACTS October 28, 2004 David Fiske: 202- 418- 0513 CHAIRMAN POWELL PRAISES STRONG UNIVERSAL SERVICE ENFORCEMENT ACTION FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell issued the following statement concerning the universal service consent decree released today by the Enforcement Bureau, which includes a $400,000 voluntary contribution to the Treasury: “Today’s consent decree involving Universal Service Fund contribution obligations is one of the latest steps in our campaign to ensure compliance with the Commission’s universal service rules. Over the last year, enforcement actions have resulted in payments or agreements to make payments to the universal service fund of nearly $20 million. We cannot and will not tolerate refusals to comply with our contribution rules. We will continue our strong enforcement in this area to help ensure that telecommunications services are available to all Americans. When carriers contribute their fair share we ensure that the universal service fund remains on a sound footing.” -FCC- 1