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The Importance of a Landline Phone

The landline telephone is still a vital piece of our technology puzzle. When customers subscribe to landline telephone service it makes it possible for TrioTel to receive federal support from the Universal Service Funding (USF) program. USF was established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1997 with the intent to ensure that all consumers, regardless of location, have access to essentially the same telecommunication service at affordable prices.

Historically, this program made it possible to provide phone service to those who live in remote, hard to serve areas, which are more expensive and more difficult for telecommunication providers to serve. As a telephone subscriber, in addition to your local service rates, you pay a fee on your monthly bill titled “Federal Universal Service Charge” which is based on a percentage set by the FCC. This fee changes from time to time based on the needs of the federal fund. The fund then aids communication providers to ensure they are able to support their own network and update their infrastructure as needed to deploy service. When landline service is dropped by subscribers, it also correlates our eligibility to receive funding. Having a strong, up-to-date network in place means that we can also offer reliable Internet and TV services carried over this same network.

USF also provides schools, libraries, low-income consumers and rural health care providers with assistance in obtaining telecommunication services.

Internet technology is changing and improving constantly. As we progress, the FCC will eventually move their support away from voice services and will fund broadband service. Our team couldn’t be more excited to embrace the change as our consumers’ appetite for more broadband continues to grow. TrioTel takes pride in our customer service and we will continue to strengthen our close relationships with our members. We are your neighbors and want the same opportunities for quality and reliable service for you and the communities we live in. It is our constant mission to bring better, long-term value to our rural areas, but we can’t do that without the funding and support for our networks.