The following is from the
FCC web site regarding the USF:
Universal Service Fund (USF) Charge – Because telephones provide a vital
link to emergency services, government services, and surrounding
communities, the federal government promotes telephone service to all
households. The USF helps to make phone service affordable and available
to all Americans, including consumers with low incomes, those living in
areas where the cost of providing telephone service is high, schools and
libraries, and rural health care providers. Congress has mandated that
all telephone companies providing interstate service must contribute to
the USF. Although not required to do so by the government, many carriers
choose to pass their USF contribution costs on to their customers in the
form of a line item, often called the “Federal Universal Service Fee” or
“Universal Connectivity Fee.”The current incarnation of
the FUSF was introduced into tax law created by United States Congress,
via the FCC in 1998. Title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, Sections
36,
54, and
69.
This surcharge is imposed for the purpose of providing
telecommunications services at an affordable price to schools,
libraries, rural health care providers, and low-income customers. The
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates this surcharge.
For more FUSF information, visit the FCC web site at
http://www.fcc.gov/,
or
http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/universal_service/welcome.html |
