Changes

Universal service is the financial mechanism which helps compensate [[telephone]] companies or other communications entities for providing access to [[telecommunications]] services at reasonable and affordable rates throughout the country, including rural, insular and high costs areas, and to public institutions. Companies, not [[consumer]]s, are required by law to contribute to this fund. The law does not prohibit companies from passing this charge on to customers. [[Category:Telecommunications]]

'''Universal service''' is the financial mechanism which helps compensate [[telephone]] companies or other communications entities for providing access to [[telecommunications]] services at reasonable and affordable rates throughout the country, including rural, insular and high costs areas, and to public institutions. Companies, not [[consumer]]s, are required by law to contribute to this fund. The law does not prohibit companies from passing this charge on to customers. [[Category:Telecommunications]]