Billing

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Autopay Enrollment (Mainstreet Communications)
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Billing Explanation

911 Surcharge
This is a mandated fee that all telephone companies must contribute to. It helps maintain the 911 emergency networks.

Access Line Charge
Also known as "Subscriber Line Charge". This was instituted to cover the costs associated with the interstate access to the local phone network. The FCC caps the maximum price that a company may charge for this. This is not a government charge or tax, and it does not end up in the government's treasury. This is a federally regulated fee.

EAS
This stands for Extended Area Service. Some exchanges have cities added to their local calling area and are able to call other cities without incurring long distance for a monthly fee. In order for EAS to be installed, your community must vote it in.

Federal Tax
This is a 3% tax that is mandated by the Federal Government. It is imposed on all telecommunications services, including local, long distance, and wireless bills.

Franchise Fees
This is a tax imposed by cities where Cable TV service is provided.

FUSC (Federal Universal Service Charge)
Because telephones provide a vital link to emergency services, to government services and to surrounding communities, it has been our nation's policy to promote telephone service to all households since this service began in the 1930's.

The USF (Universal Service Fund) helps to make phone service affordable and available to all Americans, including assisting schools, libraries, and rural health care consumers. Congress had mandated that all telephone companies providing interstate service must contribute to the USF.

Local Service
This is your basic monthly charge for dial tone service from your telephone company.

Optional Services
These are charges for added services such as inside wire maintenance, voice mail, caller ID, etc. They are listed with a description or simply as "Features".

State Taxes
This is a 6.875% charge imposed by the state of Minnesota and local and municipal governments on goods and services.

TAP
This is a mandated fee charged on each telephone line you have (not including cellular phones). It is used to help provide telephone service to Minnesota's low-income residents.

TAM
This stands for "Telecommunications Access Minnesota". This fee is charged on each line you have including cell phones. It is used to fund programs that provide telephone service to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired.