Federal Universal Service Charge (FUSC) Rate – updated September 14, 2026

Starting October 1, 2026, the Federal Universal Service Charge (FUSC) on your bill will go up. This is because the FCC Universal Service Fund contribution factor will increase from 38.8% to 42.0%.

The FCC sets the FUSC under FCC rules. It calculates the FUSC by applying the new 42.0% rate to charges for interstate telecommunications services. The Universal Service Fund helps make sure people in rural and hard-to-reach areas can access affordable communications services.

The FCC announced the proposed fourth-quarter 2026 contribution factor on September 14, 2026. If the FCC takes no action regarding the proposed contribution factor within 14 days of the Public Notice, it will be deemed approved.

We don’t expect any changes, but if the date or contribution factor changes, Red River Communications will let you know right away.

If you have questions about how this change affects your Red River Communications bill, please contact our support team.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

• What is FUSC?
  • The Federal Universal Service Fund (FUSF) helps keep telephone rates affordable for all customers, regardless of their location. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) manages it. 
    
• How is it calculated?
  • The FUSC is calculated as a percentage of interstate service charges. 
    
• Why is it important?
  • The FUSC helps to:
    • Provide affordable telecom services to low-income individuals and residents in high-cost, rural areas. 
    • Support leading-edge services for schools, libraries, and rural healthcare providers, including high-speed internet access.

If you have questions about the Federal Universal Service Charge (FUSC), contact the FCC online at FCC.gov, at 1-888-225-5322, or by email: [email protected].