PSC Telecommunications Fact Sheet
Issue:	Extended Community Calling (ECC)
Description:	Service that promotes equality of local calling areas.
Status:	Implemented Statewide
Related Issues:	Local Calling But Per-Minute Rate
Docket/File No.:	05-TI-119 (Phase I)	Notice Date:
Hearing Date:		Order Date:	9/30/93
Staff Contact:	Kathy Bakke	Telephone No.:	(608) 267-9254
Creation Date:	4/25/96	Revision Date:	3/1/05

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Extended Community Calling (ECC) is a service authorized by the Public Service Commission in 1993 to promote equality of local calling areas. ECC only affects calling that was previously considered toll calling to exchanges that are either adjacent to or within 15 miles of the caller's exchange. Mileage is based on the location of the rate center for each exchange; for most exchanges this is the location of the switching center.

The rate adopted for ECC calls is $.05 per minute, though a few small telephone companies charge higher rates of $.07 or $.08 per minute. Verizon charges $.04 per minute and SBC charges $.01 per minute. A few telephone companies raised their local service rates about the time they implemented ECC pricing, but other changes in the revenues local companies receive contributed to their need to raise rates.

ECC calls are considered part of local service. As such, the rates are subject to change the same way other local rates may be changed.