FCC says AT&T agrees to $18.25 million settlement

The federal government says AT&T will pay $18.25 million to settle charges related to operating services that are designed for use by the deaf and hard-of-hearing who place calls by typing messages over the Internet.

The settlement announced by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday closes an investigation over compliance with rules on registering and verifying callers. AT&T isn't admitting any wrongdoing.

The case is separate from a pending lawsuit in Pittsburgh by the Justice Department that alleges AT&T improperly billed the government for calls made by overseas callers who were ineligible.

AT&T Inc. is paying $7 million to reimburse the fund for the Telecommunications Relay Service. That amount includes interest. AT&T also is paying $11.25 million to the U.S. Treasury and is agreeing to new procedures.

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