In the Universal Service Order released May 8, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission established new federal universal service support mechanisms consistent with thee Communications Act of 1934, as amended.  The money raised will be used to wire schools, libraries, and rural health-care centers for telecommunications.  The Commission required all telecommunications carriers that provide interstate telecommunications, providers of intrastate telecommunications, and payphone service providers to contribute to the federal universal support mechanisms.

The current rate for this fee (as of January 1, 2002) is 1.15% of the current month's airtime charges, excluding taxes and any other charges.  The breakdown of this charge is listed on your invoice as "FCC Unvrsl Svc Fund".  These funds will be remitted to the Federal government as part of our contribution to the Universal Service Fund.  This amount may vary on occasion as the FCC makes adjustments.
 

For more information, visit the FCC seb site (www.fcc.gov). If you'd like to let the FCC know your opinion on the ruling, please send an e-mail to fccinfo@fcc.gov, call 202-418-0200 or send a letter to: