Released: November 20, 2008

AT&T ordered to pay California customers

Source: Bloomberg News, (L.A.Times) (Free Registration)

AT&T Inc. didn’t conspire to fix the rate for long-distance surcharges paid by customers, a Kansas jury said Wednesday, rejecting a $400-million claim against the largest U.S. telephone company.

The federal jury in Kansas City, Kan., also ordered AT&T to pay $16.9 million to California residential customers who accused the company of breach of contract in the same trial.

Business customers had sued in a national class action, claiming that one of Dallas-based AT&T’s predecessor companies violated U.S. antitrust law by fixing prices for Universal Service Fund surcharges from August 2001 through March 2003.

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