| Most people admit that they just pay their | | | | governments have a sales tax for wireless |
| monthly cell phone bill without looking at it. Many | | | | infrastructure, the E911 service, or discounted |
| of these individuals say that they do not know | | | | telephone services for low-income customers. |
| what all the different listings are or what they | | | | Some areas may charge for all three. If this |
| mean. When looking at your cell phone bill you will | | | | amount seems too high to you, you can call your |
| see the different sections and the charges listed | | | | provider but usually there is nothing that the |
| within these areas. The first section on your bill is | | | | company can do about these fees. |
| usually your Monthly Plan, while the second may | | | | The Regulatory Fees and the Administrative |
| be the Calling Charges section. The last few | | | | Charges are usually the next two listings in the |
| sections probably include the Messaging/ Data | | | | Taxes section. The Regulatory Fees are the |
| Charges section, the Taxes Section, and the | | | | charges that you pay to finance federally |
| Insurance section. | | | | mandated programs such as services for the |
| The Messaging/Data Charges section is the listing | | | | hearing- and speech-impaired customers, wireless |
| of the preset charges that you have set up as | | | | phone number portability, and an enhanced 911 |
| part of your cell phone plan. This includes text | | | | system that enables law enforcement officials to |
| messaging and surfing the Internet with your cell | | | | track your location in case of an emergency. |
| phone. The only additional charge in this section is | | | | Administrative Charges are simply the fees |
| the Text Messaging Surcharge. This fee is | | | | passed along to you by your cell phone service |
| incurred if you text message someone abroad as | | | | provider to cover the administrative costs of their |
| these messages are not included in most service | | | | business. On your first bill, this fee may seem to |
| provider's plans. There will also probably be a $.15 | | | | be high due to an activation fee that most |
| fee for each of these text messages that are | | | | providers charge to new customers. You may be |
| sent. | | | | able to get this fee waived if you sign a two-year |
| The next section is probably the Taxes, Fees, | | | | contract with the provider. Otherwise, you are |
| and Surcharges section. This is the area where | | | | probably going to have to pay it. |
| most people become confused. First there is | | | | The last section of your cell phone bill is probably |
| usually a FCC Universal Service Charge. This is a | | | | the Insurance section. There may only be one |
| fee that your cell phone service provider charges | | | | listing in this area-Handset Insurance. This |
| all their customers to meet a mandatory FCC | | | | insurance provides extra protection for you if |
| requirement that the companies should help fund | | | | your cell phone is lost or stolen. This fee may also |
| telecommunications infrastructures for low-income | | | | include road-side service if you are broken down. |
| residents as well as schools, libraries, and | | | | If you can afford it, this insurance is a nice asset |
| health-care services. Technically, the customers | | | | to have. |
| are paying for this funding as well as the | | | | Understanding your cell phone bill can enable you |
| providers. | | | | to choose a plan that better fits your needs as |
| The next listing in the Taxes section is the State | | | | well as allowing you to eliminate any unnecessary |
| and Local Charges. Some states and local | | | | costs. |