TARIFF

The documents filed by a carrier describing their services and the payments to be charged for such services. 

Taxes

A percentage-based sales tax by federal, state and/or local governments may be assessed based on your local and long distance charges. In some areas, a franchise tax (meaning sales or excise tax) can be imposed at the state, county or local level. 

Telecommunications Access System Act Surcharge

Ordered by the Public Service Commission to fund the relay service for hearing and speech impaired customers. Depending on the state you live in, this surcharge is also known as the Americans with Disabilities Act Surcharge or Telecommunications Relay Surcharge. 

TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICE (TRS)

A free service that enables persons with TTYs, individuals who use sign language and people who have speech disabilities to use telephone services by having a third party transmit and translate the call. 

Telecommunications Relay Surcharge

Ordered by the Public Service Commission to fund the relay service for hearing and speech impaired customers. Depending on the state you live in, this surcharge is also known as Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act or Telecommunications Access System Act Surcharge. 

TELEPHONY

The word used to describe the science of transmitting voice over a telecommunications network. 

TTY

A type of machine that allows people with hearing or speech disabilities to communicate over the phone using a keyboard and a viewing screen. It is sometimes called a TDD. 

Toll Calls

There are a number of ways to make toll (long distance)calls. They include:

Direct dialed – These are long distance calls made without operator assistance and are billed to the number placing the call.

Operator assisted – These long distance calls are placed with help from the operator. There are two types of operator-assisted calls:

Person to person- placed to a specific person

Station to station- placed to a number

Third number – The calling party places a call from one number to another number and bills it to a third number that is different from either the calling or the called number.

Calling card – Calling card calls are made and charged to a telephone calling card number.

Collect – Collect calls are billed to the called number. The called party must agree to accept the charges before the call is connected.

Mechanized collect – On a touchtone phone, the called party must press a specified key to signal acceptance of the charges. On a rotary phone, the called party must remain on the line to accept. To refuse the call, on either touchtone or rotary phones, the called party disconnects the call.

Pay-Per-Use Services – For 900, 976 and 211 calls, the calling party agrees to pay a certain amount per minute to complete the call. 

Toll Restriction

Blocks certain types of outgoing, long distance calls that would otherwise result in charges to you telephone line. 

Touch-tone dialing

A feature, which unlike rotary or pulse service, enables you to interact with automated response services like a bank or computer dial-in. 

Truth-In-Billing

In response to new federal billing rules governing all telephone companies, your local phone bill will now be marked with one of the symbols described below, depending on the state you live in. The Truth-In-Billing message will appear on your bill every month.

charges that must be paid to retain local phone service (marked as † in the bill)

charges that can not result in termination of local service (marked as § in the bill)

UNBUNDLING

The term used to describe the access provided by local exchange carriers so that other service providers can buy or lease portions of its network elements, such as interconnection loops, to serve subscribers. 

UNIVERSAL SERVICE

The financial mechanism which helps compensate telephone companies or other communications entities for providing access to telecommunications services at reasonable and affordable rates throughout the country, including rural, insular and high costs areas, and to public institutions. Companies, not consumers, are required by law to contribute to this fund. The law does not prohibit companies from passing this charge on to customers. 

Universal Service Fund

The Universal Service Fund is designed to recover some of the costs Sprint incurs to keep basic telephone service affordable in rural and high cost areas. This fund also makes it possible for telephone companies like Sprint to assist low-income customers that qualify, through lifeline assistance programs. Finally, the Universal Service Fund provides support for telecommunications services used by schools and libraries across the nation, as well as rural healthcare providers, creating broader access to services like Internet access and Distance Learning programs. In some areas, state governments may also require a similar surcharge for special programs within their communities. 

Unlimited Usage Monthly Charge

A flat rate monthly fee for some products which then allows unlimited monthly usage. 

Usage-Based Services

Services that are billed only when used rather than a flat rate for unlimited monthly use. For example, Return Call (*69) or 3-Way Calling. 

Voice Mail

A phone company provided ‘answering machine.’  If you do not answer that call an automated attendant answers and allows the caller to leave a message.  Messages are indicated by a stuttered dial-tone and/or a message waiting indicator on the phone.  Message can be retrieved by dialing an special access number.