Verizon Caves, Drops Internet Surcharge

NEW YORK — Backing down to pressure from the Federal Communications Commission, Verizon has said that it will drop its planned high-speed Internet surcharge.

The FCC, which had announced a planned phase-out of the Universal Service Fund (USF) fee scheduled to take effect Aug. 14, sent a letter of inquiry to Verizon earlier this week asking the company to explain its proposal to charge consumers between $1.20 and $2.70 per month.

The original USF was a fee levied by phone and Internet providers on behalf of the federal government to subsidize communications services to lower income households, schools and rural areas.

News of the agency’s interest in the fees that would take effect after the USF phase-out prompted BellSouth to quickly discontinue its plans. Verizon made its decision to drop the new fee after it received the FCC’s letter of inquiry.

According to a Verizon company statement, the decision was a result of customer feedback.

"We have listened to our customers, and are eliminating the charge," a company spokesman said.

Gene Kimmelman of the Consumers Union said that government pressure likely had more to do with Verizon’s decision than consumer input.

“They got caught red-handed in a blatant consumer rip-off,” Kimmelman said. “Only under the pressure of regulators cracking down on them did they back off from this unwarranted charge."

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said that he was pleased that both BellSouth and Verizon had seen fit to drop the fees, adding that deployment of affordable broadband remains his top priority.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult, Could Face Override

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Show More