Comcast: Fees Watch

What are some of the fees Comcast impose on their customer? The answer is difficult as it depends on the particular Comcast service you have, plus, Comcast doesn’t exactly make these clear on their website. So far, we have description of the fees for Comcast Digital Voice. Will add more going forward.

Comcast Digital Voice Fees

The taxes, fees and surcharges assessed on your Comcast Digital Voice service are comparable to those charged by most voice service providers that provide a full suite of services, including access to services for the hearing- or speech-impaired, and enhanced 911 service.

Listed below is a description of the most common taxes, fees and surcharges assessed on your Comcast Digital Voice service. For specific pricing information, please contact your taxing authorities.

• The Regulatory Recovery Fee recovers costs that Comcast Digital Voice incurs in order to ensure the adequate support of various public services and to support various regulatory programs. These costs may include charges imposed by state and local governments to help pay for emergency services such as fire and rescue, and for the relay center that transmits and translates calls for hearing-impaired and speech-impaired individuals. The Regulatory Recovery Fee also recovers costs related to state programs that guarantee affordable voice services for all Americans, including consumers with low incomes, those living in areas where the costs of providing telephone service is high, schools, libraries and and other programs. The Regulatory Recovery Fee is not a tax or a government-required fee.
• The Universal Connectivity Charge recovers costs that IP enabled voice service providers are required to contribute to the Federal Universal Service Fund which supports federal programs that guarantee affordable voice services for all Americans, including consumers with low incomes, those living in areas where the costs of providing telephone service is high, schools, libraries and rural health care facilities. The Universal Connectivity Charge is not a tax or government required fee.
• A State Sales Tax is imposed on voice services and is mandated by state government.
• A Local Sales Tax is imposed on voice services in some jurisdictions, and is mandated by local government.
• Gross Receipts Taxes and Excise Taxes may also apply to voice services in certain jurisdictions.
• In certain jurisdictions, the state or local government may require IP enabled voice service providers to apply a 911 surcharge directly on IP enabled voice services. In these jurisdictions you may be assessed a 911 surcharge in the Taxes, Surcharges and Fees section of your invoice. In this case, you will not be assessed charges related to emergency services in the Regulatory Recovery Fee.
• Comcast Digital Voice service does not asses a Subscriber Line Charge, which is a fee that many voice service providers charge in order to allow their customers to converse with callers that use other networks. By not charging this fee, Comcast Digital Voice service provides savings of up to $6.50 per line, per month or more.