Comments on: Telephone Cramming https://habitablezone.com/2011/07/13/telephone-cramming/ Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:03:37 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lee https://habitablezone.com/2011/07/13/telephone-cramming/#comment-3917 Lee Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:20:10 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=2492#comment-3917 I have a problem with it. It's not government's job to pay people's phone bills. Being poor means something. It means you can't afford a phone. I have a problem with it. It’s not government’s job to pay people’s phone bills. Being poor means something. It means you can’t afford a phone.

]]> By: TB https://habitablezone.com/2011/07/13/telephone-cramming/#comment-3875 TB Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:02:23 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=2492#comment-3875 Universal Lifeline is a tax/fee that subsidizes people who can't afford very basic phone service. I don't have a real problem with it, but my main point is that there are a lot of government/regulatory ducks doing a lot more nibbling than one or two "cramming" fees. If AT&T is costing me a lot, it's probably my own fault. Lord knows they've been trying to get me off my ancient landline and onto some cheaper bundled packages. Universal Lifeline is a tax/fee that subsidizes people who can’t afford very basic phone service. I don’t have a real problem with it, but my main point is that there are a lot of government/regulatory ducks doing a lot more nibbling than one or two “cramming” fees.

If AT&T is costing me a lot, it’s probably my own fault. Lord knows they’ve been trying to get me off my ancient landline and onto some cheaper bundled packages.

]]> By: Eri https://habitablezone.com/2011/07/13/telephone-cramming/#comment-3872 Eri Wed, 13 Jul 2011 21:29:54 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=2492#comment-3872 Most of those sound more or less what's on mine; however, I am checking on the Deaf surcharge since I'm not deaf, FCC Regulatory Fee-voice, and Regulatory Recovery Fee. That Universal Lifeline Telephone Service surcharge sounds like something you might check on what it is and why it's there. Actually, any you don't know specifically are Federal or State mandated charges, I'd check. If they get an extra buck a month from you and 3 million other customers and no one ever calls them on it... Most of those sound more or less what’s on mine; however, I am checking on the Deaf surcharge since I’m not deaf, FCC Regulatory Fee-voice, and Regulatory Recovery Fee.

That Universal Lifeline Telephone Service surcharge sounds like something you might check on what it is and why it’s there. Actually, any you don’t know specifically are Federal or State mandated charges, I’d check. If they get an extra buck a month from you and 3 million other customers and no one ever calls them on it…

]]> By: TB https://habitablezone.com/2011/07/13/telephone-cramming/#comment-3870 TB Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:08:02 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=2492#comment-3870 I don't see any private third party charges on my phone bill. I do see a Federal Subscriber Line Charge, a State Regulatory fee, a Federal Universal Service fee, a California High Cost Fund-B and California Advanced Service Fund fee, a California Teleconnect Fund surcharge, a Universal Lifeline Telephone Service surcharge, A California Relay Service and Communications Device Fund surcharge, a Utility Users Tax, a California 9-1-1 surcharge, a Public Utilities Commission fee, and Federal and local taxes. I don’t see any private third party charges on my phone bill.

I do see a Federal Subscriber Line Charge, a State Regulatory fee, a Federal Universal Service fee, a California High Cost Fund-B and California Advanced Service Fund fee, a California Teleconnect Fund surcharge, a Universal Lifeline Telephone Service surcharge, A California Relay Service and Communications Device Fund surcharge, a Utility Users Tax, a California 9-1-1 surcharge, a Public Utilities Commission fee, and Federal and local taxes.

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