Konkurencja i konsument · 12.03.1997

900-Number Rule Review; Request For Comment Regarding Possible Modification of Definition of ``Pay-Per-Call Services'' Pursuant to the Telecommunications Act of 1996

The Federal Trade Commission (``the Commission'' or ``FTC'') is requesting public comment on the Commission's Trade Regulation Rule Pursuant to the Telephone Disclosure and Dispute Resolution Act of 1992 (``the 900-Number Rule''). The 900-Number Rule governs the advertising and operation of pay-per-call services, and establishes billing dispute procedures for such services. The 900-Number Rule requires that the Commission initiate a rulemaking review proceeding to evaluate the Rule's operation no later than four years after its effective date of November 1, 1993. Pursuant to this mandatory rule review requirement, the Commission seeks comment about the overall costs and benefits of the 900-Number Rule and its overall regulatory and economic impact. In addition, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 1 granted the Commission authority to expand the scope of the 900-Number Rule by broadening the definition of pay-per-call services. Therefore, the Commission is also seeking public comment on whether it should expand the scope of its 900-Number Rule to ``audio information or audio entertainment'' services provided through dialing patterns other than 900 numbers. These questions are publish