What is the Universal Service Fund?
A universal fund which helps compensate telephone companies for providing access to services at reasonable and affordable rates throughout the country, including rural, insular and high cost areas, and to public institutions. These fees have been charged in connection with consumers’ long distance service. The amounts charged and the name describing the universal service-related fees vary considerably among carriers. Some carriers have labeled the fee as “Universal Connectivity Charge,” “Federal Universal Service Fee,” “Carrier Universal Service Charge (CUSC),” and even “Local Service Subsidy.
Related Questions
- The CUT ordinance states that Universal Service Fund charges are subject to taxation. Does this apply to both Federal and State USF charges?
- What is the Federal Universal Service Fund and why do consumers and businesses have to pay into it?
- How is it determined what amount Clear has to pay into the Universal Service Fund?
