Phone bill fees and taxes to read for
The line items the FCC describes, and how to check a plan's full total.
The plan price is not the bill
Taxes and fees can sit on top of an advertised plan price. Before you switch, ask the carrier whether its listed price includes them, and see the current price at the carrier.
Taxes
The FCC says taxes "may be imposed by state, local, and municipal governments on goods and services, including phone service."
Universal service
The FCC says a "Universal Service" line item may appear when your provider chooses to recover its Universal Service Fund contributions from you. It says: "The FCC does not require this charge to be passed on to you, but service providers are allowed to do so."
911 and number portability
The FCC lists 911 charges, which help local governments pay for emergency services. It says number portability fees "may vary by company; some may not charge any fees."
Roaming and overage
The FCC lists roaming charges and downloading fees among the charges that can appear on a wireless bill. Read where your plan roams and what happens at your data limit.
Truth in Billing
The FCC says its Truth in Billing rules require providers to give "clear, factual, plain language descriptions of services for which you are being billed," and to identify the provider for each charge.
Cramming
The FCC calls cramming "the illegal act of placing unauthorized charges" on a phone bill. It says to review your bill every month and ask about any charge you do not recognize.
This is general information, not legal advice. Plan terms come from the carrier.
Sources: FCC, Understanding Your Telephone Bill.
FAQ
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A short list before you switch.
