This is in reply to another thread that was marked "Assumed Answered"
OP - "I have multiple lines on my account and I'm trying to figure out why the federal universal service fund fluctuates each month."
I have the same question on my first T-Mobile bill. Called Customer Service and the rep went through her sources and even checked the FCC site, and she couldn't find a formula either. Applying some logic to the info I HAVE managed to glean tonight, I have some (inferred) answers to the question above and to my own questions.
Since the USF "is paid for by contributions from telecommunications carriers...based on an assessment on their interstate and international end-user revenues", the "contribution" will vary month to month. Since the FCC doesn't have a formula on their site, I assume that there IS no formula, but a set stepped "contribution". As the revenue base goes up, the "contribution" goes up, not additive or geometric but stepped. For example (numbers picked out of the air) for revenues of $2,000,000.00 to $3,999,999.99, T-Mobile pays $4,000.00 (set fee, not a percentage). If revenue goes up to $4,000,000.00 to $6,999,999.99, "contribution" goes up to $8,000.00.
Now, T-Mobile passes the "contribution" on to the customers, based on the charges on the customers' bills. I have 5 divisions to my bill - the "Plan", $80.00, 1 line at $0.00, 1 at $7.00, one at $17.00, and one at $19.00. USF charges are as follow:
"Plan" $2.40
$0.00 & $7.00 lines - $0.05 each
$17.00 & $19.00 lines - $0.35
This indicates to me that T-Mobile is charging a stepped fee rather than a set percentage, just as the FCC charges them.
One last thing - I have been on the phone with customer support at T-Mobile at least once every other day since we received our phones 3 weeks ago, and every last one of the reps have gone above and beyond to solve my issue, even though I have trouble speaking due to my stroke. I regularly ask to speak with the supervisor after completing my business with the rep because I have learned that, whenever you give positive feedback on the rep, it is announced to the entire call center. With this in mind, remember to get the reps name early in the call, and try to get their call center location. After you finish, ask for the supervisor and make a complaint. If you "accidentally" get cut off, immediately call back and ask for a supervisor and give the name and location of the rep who gave substandard service. But go into every call with an upbeat attitude and I bet you'll get much better service.