What is a Payphone Surcharge, and why am I being charged for it?
Toll-free calls, including calls billed to calling cards or credit cards, also do not require a coin. The Communications Act, however, requires the FCC to establish a per-call compensation plan to ensure that all payphone service providers (PSPs) are fairly compensated for every completed intrastate and interstate call using their payphones — except for emergency calls. The toll-free number provider, calling card service, or credit card company generally pays this compensation, but they may pass this cost on to users in the rates charged.
