Understanding Your First Bill

Basic Service
The basic monthly charge for dial-tone service.

Optional Services
Charges for added services such as caller ID, voice mail, 3-way calling or unlisted numbers.

Long Distance
Charges from your selected carrier. F&B bills for Lincolnway Long Distance. Other long distance companies send separate bills.

Surcharges
SUBSCRIBER LINE CHARGE
An FCC authorized charge to cover the costs to connect your home or business to the telecommunications network. This flat monthly fee is designed to reduce the access charges paid by long distance carriers to local companies by making the end-user more directly responsible for the costs incurred to provide service. The Subscriber Line Charge results in no additional revenue for local telephone companies.

FEDERAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE CHARGE
Established by the federal government to provide affordable telecommunications to all Americans regardless of where they live. The Federal Universal Service Fund assists with the costs of providing “affordable” telecommunications service to low-income individuals and to residents in rural, high-cost areas. In addition, Congress has expanded the program to help schools, libraries, and rural health care providers obtain leading-edge services, such as high-speed Internet connections. All providers of telecom services contribute to the support of these universal service programs.

E-911
A charge mandated by county government to support the 911 system.

Taxes
Federal, State, Local
Tax rates set by federal, state and county government. 911 charge is exempt.