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The charges on your telephone bill fall into several categories:
Fixed Charges:
Mandatory recurring charges and taxes you must pay to be connected to the network. Local telephone charges are itemized and billed one month in advance.
Usage charges:
Mid Century Long Distance charges for individual toll (long distance) calls and directory assistance calls will appear on your MCTC statement. If you have a toll provider other than Mid Century you will receive a separate bill from that provider detailing your toll usage. Charges are billed one month in arrears and rates will vary depending on the number of toll calls you make, the duration of the call and if you subscribe to a calling plan.
Other Services:
Included in this category are recurring monthly fees for non-published telephone numbers, additional directory listings, instrument leases, inside wire maintenance, and voluntary contributions to telephone assistance programs. Optional services such as MCTV Digital Television, High Speed Internet/DSL and calling features are also listed in this classification. Prices vary by product.
Other Charges and Credits:
These may be recurring or one time charges that can include fees for products. Also included in this category are late payment fees. In addition, any action that requires a service order to be processed will generate a prorated charge or credit in this category. Examples of these activities are new installations and partial charges (or credits) for services initiated (or discontinued) in the middle of a billing period.
Definitions:
Residential Rate or Business Rate:
This is a mandatory recurring fixed monthly charge to receive a dial tone. The service entitles business or residential subscribers to basic local exchange telephone service and local calls.
FCC Interstate Access Single / Multi:
This is a mandatory recurring fixed monthly charge. Local telephone companies must contribute to the upkeep and operation of the equipment necessary to connect individual phone lines to the interstate long distance network. A portion of the out-of-state expense incurred is recovered through this charge (also known as the Federal Subscriber Line Charge), which is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Intrastate Access Charge:
This is a mandatory recurring fixed monthly charge. A portion of the in-state expense associated with maintaining facilities to connect with the long distance network are recovered by assessing this charge, which is regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).
Emergency 911 Surcharge:
The emergency response system in each county is subsidized by this surcharge which varies from county to county and is mandatory when the 911 referendum is approved regardless if 911 services are currently available.
Illinois Telecom Relay Service & Equipment:
A mandatory state surcharge (per telephone line) used to fund relay centers and special equipment that assist hearing and speech impaired persons to communicate over the telecom network.
Federal Universal Service Charge (percentage varies and can change quarterly):
This represents a mandatory surcharge on the interstate portion of a subscriber bill to support universal telephone service. The FUSC fund assists with the cost of providing affordable telecommunication services to schools, libraries, low-income individuals and residents in rural high-cost areas.
Federal Taxes (FED) (3%):
The Federal Excise Tax is imposed by the federal government (not the FCC) which applies to all local charges and is remitted to the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
State Tax (7% Illinois):
The Illinois Telecommunications Excise Tax is assessed by the state of Illinois on all telecommunications services.
Public Utility Tax (ADTL) (.1%):
The proceeds from the Illinois Public Utility Tax fund the work of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). This tax is assessed on all regulated utility bills.
State Infrastructure Tax (TIMF TAX) (.5%):
All telecommunications carriers are required to collect infrastructure maintenance fees. The state fee is paid into the personal property tax replacement fund in the state treasury. By law, monies in this fund are dedicated to local government uses.
Supplemental Municipality Telecommunications Tax (SMTT Tax) (1%) (Applicable in 358 exchange only):
A fixed and mandatory charge imposed by Yates City for 1.0% of all gross charges to service address within the village limits. It does not apply to service addresses outside of the village boundaries. The ordinance directs telecommunications providers to charge and collect the tax via end-user billing.
Extended Area Service (Applicable in 484, 927 & 995 exchanges only):
A fixed and mandatory charge in applicable exchanges. EAS enlarges the local calling area to include exchanges that under pre-EAS agreements were considered long distance calls.
Video Franchise Fees (percentage can vary by county):
A franchise fee is billed on the program package, premium channels and additional streams and is applicable to un-incorporated (rural) video subscribers in the counties served by video. Currently, subscribers who reside within an incorporated (urban) area are not subject to the franchise fee. The franchise fee is mandated by the appropriate county. Contact information is printed on the bill should a customer have questions or concerns.
May 2009
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