Kerman2023

UNDERSTANDING YOUR BILL

fund Universal Lifeline Telephone Service, a state program to provide telephone service to anyone with an income under certain levels set by the state. California High Cost Fund Billing Surcharge B: This surcharge was ordered by the California Public Utilities Commission. The surcharge is used to support basic residential telephone service in areas served by medium and large sized telephone companies where costs exceed the statewide average. This surcharge is on most intrastate rates and charges. California Teleconnect Fund: This surcharge was ordered by the California Public Utilities Commission. It is applied to all local and toll calls made within the State of California. This surcharge is used to fund discounted phone service to qualifying schools, libraries, hospitals and other nonprofit community based organizations. California High Cost Fund Billing Surcharge A: This surcharge was ordered by the California Public Utilities Commission. The surcharge is used to support qualifying telephone companies serving rural and small metropolitan areas which are considered high cost. It is applied to all local and toll calls made within the State of California. TDD Tax: This tax was ordered by the California State Legislature. It is applied to your local monthly service and all toll calls made within the state. These taxes are used to supply special communication equipment to the deaf and disabled. California PUC Fee: This fee was ordered by the California Public Utilities Commission. It is applied to your local monthly service and all toll calls made within the state. These fees are used to help fund the PUC activities.

Understanding Your Bill There are many items that appear on your monthly statement. Local Telephone Companies have been ordered to identify each of these items separately. For your assistance, listed below is a brief explanation of some of the most commonly used terms. Toll Charges Sebastian bills for toll calls made inside the Fresno Calling Area*. Sebastian has contracts with some carriers to bill for toll calls made outside the Fresno Calling Area*. (You will receive separate statements from carriers who do not contract with Sebastian to bill for them.) Long Distance Rates Charges are based on rates in effect at the time of connection at the calling point. They may change if authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission or Federal Communications Commission. Other Charges And Credits This section of your bill shows your monthly service rate and other recurring charges. Prorated charges for monthly service, if you had service for less than a month, will appear here also. There are items in this section for regulated and non-regulated services. This section will also include non-recurring charges for installations, connections, etc. Monthly Service Rate: This is a charge for your monthly service and is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. Unregulated Telephone Equipment: This is a monthly fee for leased equipment. These fees are not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. Taxes And Surcharges Taxes and Surcharges Have Been Ordered By Governmental Agencies. Network Access: This charge was ordered by the Federal Communications Commission and is billed to all residential and single line business customers. Businesses with multiple lines are billed slightly more per month, per line. This access charge was ordered by the FCC to help reduce the long distance rates that subsidize basic service and bring local service rates more in line with their actual cost. Universal Lifeline Service Surcharge: This surcharge was ordered by the California State Legislature. It is applied to all local and toll calls made within the State of California. This surcharge is used to

State 911 Tax: This tax was ordered by the California State Legislature. It is applied to your local monthly service and all toll calls made within the state. These taxes are used to fund the 911 Emergency System statewide. Federal Tax: This tax was ordered by the Federal Government as an excise tax. This tax is applied to all portions of your bill. FUSC Surcharge: A Federal Universal Service Charge (FUSC), as prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission, is now included in your telephone bill. This charge is designed to help keep local telephone service rates affordable for all customers, in all areas of the United States. *Fresno Calling Area See Page 21 For Details.

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