The Commission has adopted Truth-in-Billing rules to improve consumers' understanding of their telephone bills. Among other things, section 64.2401 of the rules require that a telephone company's bill must: (1) be accompanied by a brief, clear, non-misleading, plain language description of the service or services rendered; (2) identify the service provider associated with each charge; (3) clearly and conspicuously identify any change in service provider; (4) contain full and non-misleading descriptions of charges; (5) identify those charges for which failure to pay will not result in disconnection of the customer's basic local service; and (6) provide a toll-free number for customers to call in order to lodge a complaint or obtain information.

The Commission also determined that all telecommunications providers should use standard labels on bills when referring to line item charges relating to federal regulatory action, such as universal service fees, subscriber line charges, and local number portability charges.

Major Truth-In-Billing Orders and Notices

10/07/2005
FCC Announces OMB Approval of Revised Information Collection(s) Concerning Its Truth-In-Billing Rules.
News Release: Word | Acrobat 

3/18/2005
FCC Extends Truth-in-Billing Rules to Wireless Phones; Seeks Comment on Additional Measures to Increase Ability of Consumers to Make Informed Choices.
Order: Word | Acrobat 
News Release (3/10/05): Word | Acrobat 
Powell Statement: Word | Acrobat 
Abernathy Statement: Word | Acrobat 
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat 
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat

6/23/2004
NASUCA PETITION FOR DECLARATORY RULING REGARDING TRUTH-IN-BILLING. Granted NASUCA's Motion for Extension of Time. Revised Reply Comment Date: August 13, 2004. (Dkt No. 04-208). Reply Comments Due: 08/13/2004. Adopted: 06/23/2004 by ORDER. (DA No. 04-1820) Word | Acrobat

5/25/2004
National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) Petition for Declaratory Ruling Regarding Truth-in-Billing and Billing Format, CG Docket No. 04-208, Pleading Cycle Established, (DA No. 04-1495) Word | Acrobat

12/13/2002
Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CC Docket No. 98-170, FCC 02-329, 17 FCC Rcd 24952 Word | Acrobat | Errata

03/31/2000
Errata, DA 00-745, 15 FCC Rcd 16544 (Com. Car. Bur. 2000) Word | Acrobat

03/23/2000
Order on Reconsideration, FCC 00-111, 15 FCC Rcd 6023 (2000)

04/15/1999
Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CC Docket No. 98-170, FCC 99-72, 14 FCC Rcd 7492 Word | Acrobat | News Release