TECHNOLOGY - June 22, 1996

Government Fines MCI, Excel in ‘Slamming’: MCI Communications Corp. will make a “voluntary contribution” of $30,000 to the U.S. Treasury as part of a consent agreement to resolve charges that Washington, D.C.-based MCI used forged letters authorizing the company to substitute itself as the customers’ long-distance carrier--a practice known as “slamming.” The Federal Communications Commission also levied an $80,000 fine--not part of a consent agreement--on Stamford, Conn.-based Excel Communications Inc. in connection with slamming charges. Both companies said they have implemented ways to eliminate unauthorized switching. Also Friday, the FCC found Houston-based Heartline Communications Inc. “apparently” liable of breaking slamming rules, though no fine was levied. Representatives at the firms couldn’t be reached for comment.