Non-PUC Surcharges
Emergency Telephone Charges
Local 9-1-1 governing bodies establish Emergency Telephone Charge (ETC) rates independently, up to a threshold set annually by the Commission. ETC rates in excess of the threshold require approval from the Commission. ETCs collected by telecommunications service providers are remitted directly to the appropriate 9-1-1 governing body. For contact information for the 9-1-1 governing bodies, see the Basic Emergency Service Page or go directly to the list.
The threshold at which Commission approval is required is:
Beginning January 1, 2023: $1.97 per phone line per month.
Beginning January 1, 2024: $2.05 per phone line per month.
The current local ETC rates are listed to the right by 9-1-1 governing body.
Applicability:
Any communications service including but not limited to wireline, wireless cellular, interconnected voice-over-internet-protocol, or satellite in which connections are enabled, configured, or capable of making 9-1-1 calls.
For multi-line telephone systems, the number of 9-1-1 access connections is determined by the configured capacity for simultaneous outbound calling. For example, if the system is configured to be capable of making a maximum of ten outbound calls simultaneously, then the customer should be assessed for ten emergency telephone charges.
Prepaid wireless telecommunications service is exempt from the Emergency Telephone Charge. See the Prepaid Wireless 9-1-1 Charge below.
State and local governmental entities are exempt.
Lifeline customers are not exempt.
The map below can be used to identify which 9-1-1 governing body, and which ETC rate, is applicable to a particular address. This map is offered as a tool of convenience only. When in doubt, telecommunications service providers should contact the local 91-1 governing body to verify that they are remitting the correct rate to the right 9-1-1 governing body.
The Prepaid Wireless 9-1-1 Charge, Prepaid Wireless 988 Charge, and the Prepaid Wireless TRS Charge
For information on these charges, please see the Department of Revenue's Prepaid Wireless Charge page.
Public Utilities Administration Fee (Telecom Utility Fund)
For information on these charges, please visit the Department of Revenue's Public Utilities Administration Fee page.