- Q: How are local and state taxes calculated on my bill?
- A: Excel uses standard telecommunications tax calculations for all federal, state and local taxes and surcharges. For detailed information about these tax categories, you should contact the applicable federal, state or local tax office. Many times these offices are listed in the government section of your phone directory, or your local or state consumer offices should be able to provide an address and phone number for these offices.
- Q: What is PICC charge?
- A: The Presubscribed Interexchange Carrier Charge (PICC) is a charge that the long-distance carrier has to pay the local telephone company for providing the phone systems to its customers. The FCC regulates the price, but this is not a tax and the commission does not require long distance companies to pass these charges to consumers.
- Q: What is USF fee?
- A: A national policy to promote telephone service to all households. Telephone service is a vital link to emergency services, government agencies and surrounding communities and the Universal Service Fund Charge (USF) is a subsidy to make phone service available for all Americans. This includes consumers with low incomes, schools and libraries and rural health care providers. All carriers are charged the same USF%. The charge is applied as a percentage of usage.
- Q: What is Minimum Billing Increment?
- A: Minimum amount of time you will be billed for a call.
- Q: What is your charge for Directory Assistance Service?
- A: Telephone directory assistance fee depends on a pricing plan and could be in a range between $.7-$1.40 per call.
- Q: What is Minimum Usage Charge?
- A: Some plans specify a dollar minimum for your total bill. If you don't reach this minimum, you will be charged the difference as a fee. This fee is paid in addition to the cost of your calls.
- Q: What is the difference between Interstate and Intrastate calls?
- A: Interstate calls are made between different US states, while Intrastate calls are made within the state, but would require customer to dial "1" first.
- Q: What is a Monthly Recurring Charge (MRC)?
- A:The MRC is a monthly charge that is based upon the pricing plan, service or billing media you choose.