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 Federal  Communications  Commission  FCC  04-  153 
 STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  JONATHAN  S.  ADELSTEIN 


 Re:  2000  Biennial  Review  –  Review  of  Policies  and  Rules  Concerning  Unauthorized  Changes  of  Consumers’  Long  Distance  Carriers;  Implementation  of  the  Subscriber  Carrier  Selection  Change 
 Provisions  of  the  Telecommunications  Act  of  1996;  Policies  and  Rules  Concerning  Unauthorized  Changes  of  Consumers  Long  Distance  Carriers,  CC  Docket  Nos.  00-  257,  94-  129. 


 In  the  Telecommunications  Act  of  1996,  Congress  recognized  the  importance  of  protecting  consumers  from  unscrupulous  practices  such  as  slamming.  Through  a  series  of  Orders,  this  Commission 
 has  sought  to  establish  and  strengthen  its  anti-  slamming  rules  in  a  manner  consistent  with  Congress’  directive.  This  Reconsideration  Order  addresses  the  unique  situation  where  service  providers  acquire  the 
 entire  subscriber  base  of  another  provider,  rather  than  the  more  typical  situation  under  which  consumers  might  switch  service  providers.  This  sort  of  subscriber  base  transfer  has  become  more  common  in  recent 
 years,  as  carriers  have  entered  and  exited  the  market.  I  am  pleased  this  Order  affirms  that  such  consumers  receive  advanced  notice  of  a  proposed  carrier  change  and  that  they  receive  detailed  information  about  the 
 rates,  terms,  and  conditions  of  the  new  provider.  By  addressing  a  potentially  confusing  situation  and  putting  consumers’  interests  first,  we  fulfill  the  consumer  protection  goal  of  the  Act. 
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