090519 Universal Service Fund.pdf

Case No. GNR-T-19-06
Final Order No. 34427
Contact: Stephen Goodson
Office: [phone]
www.puc.idaho.gov

Regulators make minor adjustment to surcharge levels for fund that
helps keep phone service affordable
BOISE (September 5, 2019) – State regulators have made a minor change to the rates associated
with the Idaho Universal Service Fund (IUSF), which ensures all Idahoans have access to local
telephone service at reasonable rates.
The Commission recently lowered the per minute surcharge of a long-distance call from 9 cents
to 7 cents, and determined that the IUSF surcharges should be maintained at 25 cents per
residential line, and 44 cents per business line.
Revenue from a surcharge on all residential and business land lines and long-distance call
minutes is earmarked for the IUSF, and disbursements are made to eight telecommunications
carriers that meet certain eligibility requirements.
The goal is to ensure local phone service is available at reasonable rates throughout Idaho,
particularly in rural areas where the cost of providing service is higher than in urban areas.
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission establishes the surcharges each fall, and they remain in
effect for a 12-month period beginning Oct. 1.
The IUSF was created through the Idaho Telecommunications Act of 1988 in order to ensure all
Idahoans have access to phone service at reasonable rates. Disbursements from the fund allow
rural telephone companies to keep their rates at no more than 25 percent above rates in more
urban areas.
Here are some statistics from the 2019 IUSF Annual Report:
- In FY18, IUSF revenues totaled $2.23 million, up from $1.89 in FY17.
- As of May 2019, there were 106,787 residential lines in service in Idaho, down from 122,347.
- 114,073 business lines in service in May 2019, down from 114,359.
- 117,572,337 long-distance call minutes were billed in FY19, up from 110,719, 570.
- Disbursements from the fund held steady at 1.69 million in FY19.
- The disbursement amount has remained unchanged since 2013.
To access documents related to this case, go to the Commission website, www.puc.idaho.gov.
Under “Telecom,” click on “Open Cases” and scroll down to case number GNR-T-19-06.