Consumer Group Web Site and Materials Reflect Newest Plans

Washington DC -- Consumers can now compare the newest rate plan offerings of the "big three" long distance companies against each other and other plan offerings by the same companies. The Telecommunications Research and Action Center (TRAC) has been comparing long distance rates and educating consumers on their choices for more than 20 years., and has just released updated copies of its long distance rate comparison chart (print) and its internet site (http://www.trac.org) to reflect the changes.

TRAC publishes TeleTips (sm), The Residential Long Distance Companies Chart, which compares the various calling plans for the six largest long distance carriers by "shopping baskets." A consumer need only pick the "shopping basket" that best describes their monthly calling, and see which plan and/or company is "best" for the them. The Chart was last issued in April of 1999, but it has now been updated to compare the rates for the newest plan, including the two MCI $.05 every day plan and the AT&T Simply 7 plan.

The TRAC WebPricer tools on its web site allows consumers to enter their actual phone calls and get a comparison for all those calls by the various carriers and plans. The WebPricer tool has also been updated to include the newest plans.

The major difference between WebPricer and TeleTips (sm) is that the TeleTips chart includes a number of items other than just phone calls in comparing rates. It includes calling card calls and directory assistance calls. It also has added in the fixed PICC and Universal Service fees, since companies bill for these differently. Thus, TeleTips(sm) offers a more complete sense of how much it will cost at the end of the month to use a service.

"Per minute charges by themselves mean very little to consumers who must also incur monthly fees, minimums, and taxes. The important figure for consumers to focus on is the amount of money it cost at the end of the month to have and user a Long Distance company. " Cautioned, Samuel A. Simon, Chairman of TRAC.

Copies of TeleTips(sm) are available from TRAC for $5.00 and a stamped, self-addressed envelop ($.55 cents postage) Send to TRAC, PO Box 27279, Washington, DC 20005.

The WebPricer is available on the TRAC web site at www.trac.org.

-30-

You get this e-mail because you signed-up for news releases from TRAC's web site. If you prefer not to get other messages, please click on the form above on "Update Preferences" and you can delete yourself from our database.

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT:

John Breyault, TRAC, johnb@trac.org, 202-263-2943

ABOUT TRAC:

The Telecommunications Research and Action Center (TRAC), founded in 1983, is a non-profit membership organization based in Washington, DC that promotes the interests of residential telecommunications customers. TRAC staff researches telecommunications issues and publishes rate comparisons to help consumers make informed decisions regarding their long distance and local phone service options. TRAC can be found on the web at http://www.trac.org.