The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Effective January 1, 2016, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized an increase in the Federal Universal Service Charge (FUSC) line item for all telephone subscribers nationwide, except those participating in the Lifeline assistance program.

Beginning with the January statements, residential and single-line business subscribers who have local phone service with Triangle Communications will notice the FUSC increase from $1.42 to $1.55 per month. Multi-line business subscribers will see the charge increase from $2.04 to $2.22 per month starting on the January bill.

The FUSC funds the Federal Universal Service Fund, which provides monetary support to rural telephone companies operating in high-cost areas to assist them in maintaining affordable local telephone service.