As a result of action taken by the Federal Communications Commission that affects carriers nationwide, Innovative Telephone, Innovative Wireless and Innovative Long Distance customers will notice an increase in the Federal Universal Service Charge (FUSC) effective Jan. 1, 2012.

FUSC surcharge factor recovers the costs associated with Innovative Telephone’s contributions to the federal universal fund program. The government mandated program is designed to help keep telephone service rates affordable for all customers, in all areas of the United States. Effective Jan. 1, there will be an increase in the charge from 15.3 percent to 17.9 percent. For residential telephone customers and single-line business subscribers, the FUSC rate will increase from $.99 to $1.16. Multi-line telephone business subscribers will experience an increase from $1.40 to $1.64 per line.

Customers will questions regarding this notice should contact the Innovative Business Office at 779-9999. Innovative’s business office hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.