FCC to Increase Q4 Universal Service Fund Contribution Fee

WASHINGTON, September 11, 2024 – Federal fees on local phone bills are expected to rise during the last three months of 2024.

On Wednesday, the Federal Communications Commission said the fee on monthly telecommunications charges will rise to 35.8 percent in the fourth quarter, up from 34.4 percent in the current quarter.

This means that the agency will charge voice providers 35.8 percent of end-user revenues to support the $8.1 billion Universal Service Fund, which subsidizes broadband infrastructure service in rural areas, schools, health centers and libraries across the country.