20241003USF Press Release 1003.pdf

Idaho Public Utilities Commission Brad Litile,Governor
P.O. Banc 83720. Boise, ID 83720-0074 Eric Anderson, President
Jdri R.Mammo* Jr,Cbmmissloner
Edward Lodge,Commissioner
Case No. GNR-T-24-05
Order No. 36341
Contact: Adam Rush
Office: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
NEWS RELEASE: Commission sets yearly rates for Idaho Universal Service Fund.
BOISE (Oct. 3, 2024)—The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has set the yearly rates for a
fund that helps provide telephone service to Idaho residents.
The Idaho Universal Service Fund was established by the Idaho Legislature through Idaho Code
§ 62-610 to maintain the universal availability of local exchange service at reasonable rates and
promote the availability of message telecommunications service (MTS) at reasonably
comparable prices throughout the state. It accomplishes this by taking revenue collected via a
surcharge assessed on all land-line users and long-distance call minutes and distributing that
revenue to telecommunications carriers that meet certain eligibility requirements.
The fund has an administrator who submits an annual report to the commission that provides
information on the fund's activities and recommending surcharge rates to meet the next year's
funding requirements.
After reviewing the report and commission staff recommendations, the commission set surcharge
rates at $0.24 cents per residential line, $0.41 cents per business line and $0.005 cents per
message telecommunications service/wide area telephone service. The rates took effect on Oct.
1, 2024, and will last for one year.
The rates reflect a decrease from when they were last set in 2023. Those rates were $0.25 cents
per residential line, $0.44 cents per business line and$0.007 cents per intrastate long-distance
billed minute.
Additional information on the commission's decision and the universal service fund is available
at: puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7350.