Have you really looked at your phone bill lately? I mean, really looked at it.
All of those extra charges and taxes can add another 50 percent to your bill. But where does the money go?
Here's a look at two fees we found.
The Federal Access Charge is usually one of the most expensive. It may be called something close to this on some provider bills. The government limits it to $6.50. But it's not a government charge, it's a phone company charge to recover costs, and there's no requirement it's passed on to you.
You should find the Federal Universal Service Fund charge on cell phone and landline bills. That money is used to help people in rural or high-cost areas get access to services. While phone companies have to pay into this fund, they are not required to pass it on to you.
The Arizona Corporation Commission controls two charges: The Arizona Universal Service Fund for school broadband, and they regulate the 80-cent facility relocation fee that pays phone companies for having to relocate lines or facilities.
Click here to look at the Federal Communication Commission's explanations of common phone bill charges.
For Century Link's explanation of fees, click here.
Click here for Verizon's explanation of fees and taxes
Click here for Cox Communications explanation of fees.
Here is Sprint's explanation of fees and taxes.
