Press Release

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today ordered Teltrust Communications Services, Inc. to immediately cease providing service to any new customers due to their failure to pay their semi-annual assessment to the Telephone Consumer Education Fund that was established in the PUC’s 1999 Global Telecommunications Order.

Teltrust has authority to offer services in Pennsylvania as an interexchange carrier (IXC) reseller. An IXC is a telephone company that is allowed to provide long-distance telephone service.

The PUC ordered Teltrust to immediately stop service to any new customers and to provide written notices to existing customers directing them to select an alternative IXC service provider within 30 days of the date of the notice. The notice must include a statement of the PUC’s intent to cancel the company’s certificate of public convenience.

On February 28, 2001, the PUC notified Teltrust Communications Services that its September 2000 semi-annual Telephone Consumer Education Fund assessment was overdue.

Teltrust’s certificate of public convenience will be canceled one month after it is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

The Consumer Education Fund is supported by telecommunications companies and directed by the Council on Utility Choice, which is comprised of consumer and utility representatives. The Consumer Education Fund educates consumers on the local and long distance telephone competitive markets, and offers information on support services, rights, protections and programs available to consumers.

For recent news releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet homepage: http://puc.paonline.com.