Phone Panel Proposed

The long-distance phone industry is proposing the creation of a third-party group that would handle consumers’ complaints when their long-distance service is illegally switched.

The proposal follows through on a suggestion by the Federal Communications Commission last year that the industry set up such a group to handle disputes over “slamming” - the practice of switching people’s long-distance service without permission.

AT&T, MCI WorldCom, Sprint and associations representing smaller long-distance companies back the proposal, which must be approved by the FCC before it could be implemented.

Under it, an industry-funded panel would be created that would include representatives of large and small long-distance companies and consumer groups to handle complaints and refunds.