Local Number Portability
The Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 required local telephone companies to initiate measures that permit customers to retain their local telephone numbers should they change their local telephone service provider while remaining at the same location. This capability is commonly called "number portability". The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has allowed that the costs associated to provide "number portability" be recovered through a customer service charge. This service charge will be a monthly charge per line*. This service charge will:
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be labeled "Number Portability Svc Charge"
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begin February 1, 1999 and end on January 31, 2004
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not apply to Lifeline accounts
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Is a flat monthly charge (not based on usage)
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Is billed on a per line basis
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Applies to all lines capable of dialing out on the local network, therefore capable of reaching a "ported" number
The Service Charge may be applied in ratio format to certain products, e.g., Centrex. PRI ISDN- PBX trunks. The effective rate as of July 7, 1999 is S.34 per line.
State Regulatory Fee
Formerly known as the CPUC Surcharge, the California Public Utilities Commission Reimbursement Fee was established by State Legislature in 1983 and is paid by the utilities to fund regulation by the CPUC.
It applies a monthly percentage to:
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Monthly service
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Nonrecurring charges
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California Billing Surcharge
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Universal Service Fund Sur credit
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Intrastate calls
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Intrastate directory assistance
The effective rate as of 7/16/96 is 0.11%.
More about Federal Excise Taxes ... More about Local Telephone Taxes ... More about the Federal Universal Service Fund ... More about Charges for Network Access for Interstate Calling ... More about Universal Lifeline Telephone Service Surcharge ... More about California Billing Surcharge (Telephone Rate Surcharge) ...