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. Cir. 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
September 16, 2014 Neil Grace, 202-418-0506
E-mail:  Neil.Grace@fcc.gov
FCC PLANS $493,327 FINE AGAINST PHILADELPHIA PHONE CARD COMPANY FOR 
CUSTOMER PRIVACY, FEDERAL FUND RULES 
AND OTHER VIOLATIONS OF FCC RULES
Alleges Pre-Paid Calling Card Provider Ignored FCC Rules for Years
Washington, DC – The Federal Communications Commission plans to fine PTT Phone Cards, Inc., a 
Philadelphia, PA company, $493,327 for allegedly providing international telecommunications services 
without FCC authority and disregarding virtually all of its regulatory obligations for over three years. The 
FCC found that PTT apparently failed to certify that the company had protected customers’ proprietary 
network information and failed to contribute to the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund, a 
government fund designed to help people with hearing and speech disabilities make phone calls.  
“Telecommunications service providers must not be allowed to shirk their legal obligations,” said 
Enforcement Bureau Chief Travis LeBlanc.  “Blatantly ignoring such responsibilities thwarts the 
Commission’s ability to protect consumers, monitor developments in the market, and ensure that persons with 
hearing or speech disabilities can place and receive calls.”       
PTT operated under the trade name “Star Pinless” as a prepaid calling card service provider reselling 
international telecommunications services between 2010 and 2014.  The FCC found that, during that time 
period, PTT allegedly provided these services without certifying that the company had protected customers’ 
proprietary network information or obtaining Commission authority to provide international 
telecommunications services, which prevented the Commission from evaluating whether PTT’s services 
would create risks to consumers and competition.  PTT also apparently failed to file the annual reports that 
determine the amounts service providers owe to support TRS and for other regulatory payments.  The filing 
failures persisted for over three years and resulted in either PTT’s late payment or non-payment of required 
fund contributions and regulatory fees.  PTT’s apparent failure to comply with its regulatory obligations 
undermined the Commission’s ability to monitor compliance with its various funds and customer privacy 
rules, and with developments in the international telecommunications market.
The Notice of Apparent Liability is available at: 
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-14-135A1.pdf
-FCC-