Washington, D.C., – The Competitive Telecommunications Association (CompTel), the leading industry association of competitive communications companies and their suppliers, is launching a strategic communications and grassroots campaign to educate lawmakers on how the Telecommunications Act of 1996 has benefited consumers by spurring innovation, deploying new technologies and opening local markets to increased competition. CompTel has selected Dittus Communications, a leading Washington, D.C. public relations firm, to conduct the program designed to encourage Congress to improve upon the success of the Act.

"We cannot afford to return to the days of monopoly telecommunications," said CompTel President H. Russell Frisby, Jr. "Today, approximately 300 companies are investing more than a billion dollars a month in infrastructure to bring new broadband and high-speed Internet access services to consumers and businesses around the country. Legislative proposals being promoted by the RBOCs, such as H.R. 2420, are not the solution for increasing competition in local markets. CompTel will urge the new Congress to enhance the pro-competitive elements of the Act," said Frisby.

The program, which will begin immediately, will include grassroots, public relations and third-party outreach.

Dittus Communications was ranked as Washington's 16th largest public relations agency by the Washington Business Journal. Dittus has achieved legislative and regulatory success for a variety of clients and coalitions, including the U.S. High-Tech Industry Coalition on China, Americans for Computer Privacy (encryption), American Business for Legal Immigration Coalition (H-1B Visas), and the Magazine Publishers Association (postal rate increase). The Dittus team will be led by the firm's Chief Executive Officer and President, Gloria Dittus.

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Mark your calendars now for CompTel's 20th Annual Anniversary Convention and Trade Exposition-Champions of Competition for the Next Generation--at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida, February 18-21, 2001. For press credentials, please contact Pam Small or Kathleen Franklin at 202/296-6650.

Based in Washington, DC, CompTel is the leading trade association representing more than 300 U.S. and international competitive communications firms and their suppliers who offer a variety of local, domestic and international long distance, Internet and wireless services. The association's members include global and national firms, regional carriers and emerging local competitive companies.