*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 54875.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: February 7, 2006 Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418- 0511 e- mail: Rosemary. Kimball@ fcc. gov JOINT FCC/ NARUC/ NASUCA WORKING GROUP LAUNCHES WEB SITE ON LIFELINE AND LINK- UP Washington, DC -- The Joint FCC/ National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC)/ National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) Working Group on Lifeline and Link- Up has launched a new Web site to provide consumers, industry and state and local governments with information about these two important programs. The Commission’s Lifeline and Link- Up programs provide discounts on telephone service and installation for income- eligible consumers. The address of the new Web site is: www. lifeline. gov. The site is one part of “Lifeline Across America,” a comprehensive, nationwide initiative announced last July by the FCC, NARUC and NASUCA to draw more income-eligible consumers into federal and state Lifeline and Link- Up programs. The new Web site is a major part of this initiative. It is user- friendly, easy to navigate and contains information for anyone who wants in- depth knowledge of the programs as well as someone who is learning about them for the first time. FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin said, “With the launch of the ‘Lifeline Across America’ Web site, NARUC, NASUCA and the FCC have made important progress toward the goal of ensuring that word of these excellent programs reaches the consumers for whom they were established.” The Working Group is currently gathering and analyzing input on Lifeline and Link- Up outreach and later this year plans to make available new and targeted outreach materials through the Web site. In addition, the Working Group will make recommendations on best outreach practices for carriers that participate in the Lifeline and Link- Up programs. FCC Contact: Lauren Patrich at 202- 418- 7944; e- mail: Lauren. Patrich@ fcc. gov - FCC - For today's press release from NARUC and other news about NARUC, go to www. naruc. org. For today's press release from NASUCA and other news about NASUCA, go to www. nasuca. org. 1