Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC REJECTS RECONSIDERATION OF FINES FOR MISLEADING 
CONSUMERS OF PREPAID CALLING CARDS
  --
WASHINGTON, October 27, 2016 – The Federal Communications Commission today rejected 
petitions for reconsideration of $20 million in fines issued against four prepaid calling card 
companies for deceptively marketing their products.  
In October 2015, the Commission issued separate $5 million fines against four calling card 
companies, Locus Telecommunications, Lyca Tel, NobelTel, and Touch-Tel USA, following an 
investigation by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau. Each of the companies formally asked the 
Commission to reconsider those fines in four, separate petitions for reconsideration. With today’s 
votes, the Commission dismisses and denies those requests and continues to seek payment of the
fines. The Commission has referred these matters to the U.S. Department of Justice, which leads 
the process of collecting outstanding fines in federal court.
The companies’ advertisements, apparently targeting immigrant communities, suggested that 
their calling cards could be used for hundreds or thousands of minutes of international calls.
Multiple fees and surcharges added by the companies, however, caused the actual calling minutes 
available to consumers to be much fewer than advertised. 
Action by the Commission October 27, 2016 by Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC 16-144, 
FCC 16-145, FCC 16-146, FCC 16-147). Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn and 
Rosenworcel approving. Commissioners Pai and O’Rielly dissenting. Chairman Wheeler, 
Commissioners Pai and O’Rielly issuing separate statements.
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Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
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www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations
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).