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7. Are telecommunications providers allowed to itemize any of the Commission’s assessments on a separate line on their customers’ bills?

The table below details which Commission assessments may be itemized on the customers’ bills of telecommunications providers.  Note that assessments, fees, or taxes authorized and/or levied by federal agencies (e.g., interstate assessments authorized and/or levied by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)), or other state of Wisconsin agencies (e.g., sales taxes authorized and/or levied by the state of Wisconsin and/or counties within the state), may be covered by other applicable regulations and statutes.


Assessment

Allowed to Itemize on Customers’ Bills

Applicable Wisconsin Statute and/or Wisconsin Administrative Code Cites

Direct

Yes

Wis. Stat. § 196.85(1) (no prohibition)

Remainder

Yes

Wis. Stat. § 196.85(2) (no prohibition)

Telephone Relay

No

Wis. Stat. § 196.858(5) (prohibition concerning a separate line in a billing statement)

Commission USF Programs, TEACH, UW‑System, and DPI Programs

Local Exchange Service

Yes. Telecommunications providers may establish a surcharge and itemize the USF assessment costs on customers' bills.

Alternatively, local service providers can raise rates to recover the USF assessment costs, but they must, per 2005 Wisconsin Act 25, itemize that rate adjustment on customer bills. 

For more information please see the October 2008 State USF Recovery on Customer Bills (51kb) and state USF assessment chart (16kb).

Wis. Stat. §§ 196.196(2)(d), and 196.196(2)(e). 196.218(3)(e) and (f) and Wis. Admin. Code § PSC 160.15 concern establishing a surcharge on customer bills. As provided in Wis. Stat. § 196.196(2)(d), surcharges are allowed for carrier access service.

Police and Fire Protection

Yes, separate line but must use prescribed language of 2009 WI ACT 28 Section 2454k.3b.1.

Wis. Stat. § 196.025(6)

Telecommunications Trade Practices

No

Wis. Stat. § 196.859(4)