Federal Universal Service Charge (FUSC)
What is it? The Universal Service Fund is a way to help make telecommunication services available to everyone in the United States. Monies are used in the following ways:
How much is it? 14.4% This changes quarterly.
What services is the FUSC charged on? Interstate and international end-user telecommunications services. You will see it in the telephone, wireless, and long distance sections of your bill.
Federal Excise Tax (Fed Tax/FET)
What is it? This tax is deposited into the United States’ General Fund for purposes defined through the budgetary process. It is not specifically designated for telecommunications systems or services.
How much is it? 3%
What services is the Fed Tax charged on? Local telephone service. You will see it in the telephone section of your bill.
Subscriber Line Charge
What is it? This fee is charged by CVTC and helps cover some of the cost of providing infrastructure that supports the transport of interstate calls.
How much is it? $6.50 (residential & single-line business) or $9.20 (multi-line business)
Where does this charge appear on the bill? You will see it in the telephone section of your bill.
Alaska Universal Service Fund (AUSF)
What is it? This charge supports three different programs: Lifeline Link up, DEM Weighting (high cost/rural telecommunications carriers), and Public Interest Payphones.
How much is it? 9.5%. This is updated annually.
What services is the AUSF charged on? Local telephone services and intrastate long distance. You will see it on the telephone, wireless, and long distance sections of your bill.
Network Access Fee
What is it?
This fee supports the pieces of the telecommunications network that provide for intrastate long distance calls. The Regulatory Commission of Alaska’s purpose in creating the NAF is to try to share the costs between consumers and long distance carriers in an effort to create an environment in which long distance companies can afford to lower the rates that they charge their customers.
How much is it? $3.75/line/month
Where does this charge appear on the bill? This appears in the telephone section of your bill.
Universal Access Surcharge
What is it? This charge supports “dual party Telecommunications Relay Service”, a service that allows persons with hearing or speech disabilities to place and receive telephone calls.
How much is it? $.05/line/month for residential and single-line businesses; $.10/line/month for multi-line businesses.
Where does this charge appear on the bill? This appears in the telephone section of your bill.
Sales Tax (Cordova)
What is it? This tax is charged on sales of goods and services within the City of Cordova.
How much is it? 6%
Where does this charge appear on the bill? You will see this charge in the Wireless section of Cordova customers.
E911 (Valdez and Cordova)
What is it? This charge supports Enhanced 911 service in Valdez and Cordova. The charge is authorized by Alaska state law and an ordinance of the Valdez and Cordova City Councils.
How much is it? $.75/month/per landline in Valdez. In Cordova, the charge is $2/month/per wireless voice line.
Where does this charge appear on the bill? Valdez customers will see the charge in the telephone section of their bill. Cordova customers will see the charge in the wireless section.
Updated 12/15/10