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KCTC Billing Support
1: What are capital credits?
One of the benefits of being a cooperative member
is that you are entitled to receive a portion of the cooperative
earnings. A patronage refund is a way of distributing the cooperatives
net income to its members. Patronage refunds issued in the form
of allocated surplus can only be retired, or paid to members, upon
approval of the board of directors. Each time a patronage distribution
is issued, the cooperative will notify eligible members of their
refunds.
2: What is a cooperative?
“An organization owned collectively by members
who share in its benefits.” Kalona Cooperative Telephone Company
was established by its members to provide themselves with a vitally
needed telecommunications service. This will provide member’s
economic and community standards and will also provide significant
long-range benefits and contributions both to the community and
subscribers.
3: What is KCTC's billing cycle?
KCTC bills are sent out on the first of each month
and are due by the 20th. Second notices are sent out on the
twenty-first. A late fee charge of 1.5% (of your total bill) is
applied if payment is not received by the 20th.
4: Does KCTC offer vacation rates?
Yes, KCTC offers 50% off your telephone line rate
and optional services (reoccuring monthly charges) for the amount
of time you specify.
5: Does KCTC rent or sell telephones?
Yes, you may rent a basic phone from KCTC for a
low monthly charge of $1.50. We also have a variety of phones you
may purchase.
6: What is the "End User Charge"
on my KCTC phone bill?
"Commonly referred to as the "End User
Access" charge on your bill, this charge is part of the FCC's
ongoing effort to promote a competitive framework for the U.S. telecommunications
industry." This fee is regulated and capped by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC), not by state public utility commissions.
It is not a tax or a fee charged by the government. The purpose
of the charge is to ensure that all Americans can afford at least
a minimal level of basic telephone service, regardless of a rural
or urban location.
7: When and how much is the "End
User Charge" increasing?
"Effective July 1, 2002: The residential and
single-line business charge-SLC/End User Access- will increase to
$6.00 per line.
8: Why the increase and where does
the money go?
"In its campaign to promote competition following
passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the FCC is attempting
to rebalance telephone rates and charges...by enacting the Telecom
Act; Congress mandated that all cunsumers, rural and urban, should
be assured of similar access to comparable telecom services at comparable
rates." The Subscriber Line Charge covers a portion of the
costs of telephone lines connected to your home or place of business.
These regulations require local phone companies to lower their access
charges to long distance phone companies, and recover an increased
portion of the costs of telephone line connections directly from
local service customers.
9: What is the Federal Universal
Service Charge (FUSC)?
The federal government has established national
programs to support the provision of telecommunications services
to schools, libraries, rural health-care providers, low-income customers,
as well as customers living in rural, insular, and high-cost areas.
As a result of recent judicial action and federal
regulatory response affecting the collection of funds supporting
these programs, Kalona Co-op Telephone Company charges a Federal
Universal Service Charge (FUSC) on all customers.
The amount of the monthly surcharge will vary depending
upon your choice of telecommunications services and the number of
telephone lines you have. Generally, the surcharge will be applied
per telephone line. However, customers using dedicated interstate
special-access circuits (for example, DSL customers) will be assessed
a percentage of their monthly interstate service amount.
10: What does the Wire Maintenance
Contract (WMC) do for me?
WMC is a service that insures any existing wiring
in your home. All wiring from the NID, or box outside your home,
up to the interior jacks is covered. Connected cords and equipment
are not covered.
11: What long distance carrier is
best for me?
KCTC only bills long distance for AT&T and
our own 2 Carriers. It is best to pick a Long Distance plan that
fits your needs. If you use a large amount of long distance, look
for a plan with a small monthly charge. If your long distance usage
is infrequent, then a plan with no monthly charge might work better
for you. These plans usually run about 14¢ to 15¢ a minute,
depending on carrier prices.
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