Glossary of Billing Terms

900 Calls

Mass-calling service that allows strawpolls, recorded announcements and live interactive conversation. Also known as pay-per-call.

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Americans With Disabilities Act

See Telecommunications Relay Service Charge.
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Automatic Funds Transfer

Electronic payment of your BellSouth bill from your financial institution.

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Basic Services

Provide network access for long distance and local calling.

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Bell Operating Company (BOC)

Any one of the 22 operating companies created by a court-ordered AT&T divestiture.

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BellSouth Small Business VISA

Enables you to transfer your BellSouth bill balance every month and charge your long distance telephone calls to your card. You can also charge retail purchases and transfer other credit card balances to your BellSouth Small Business VISA. For details on great cash back benefits, call 1-888-472-8472.

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Bill Date

Date that transactions are no longer processed against your account in preparation for the new bill.

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Billing Account Number

Identifies your account for billing purposes. It is printed on your bill and usually consists of your area code, telephone number, and your unique customer code.

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Call Completion Cost

Charge that applies when your call is completed by directory assistance.

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Cost Per Call

Charge that appears on a per call basis for using directory assistance.

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Current Charges Past Due Date

Date when payment of the total charge for services is past due.

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Customer Code

Three-digit code immediately following your telephone number in the upper right-hand corner of your BellSouth bill.

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Directory Advertising

Optional advertising items included in the white and/or yellow pages of the BellSouth telephone directory. Charges apply to items such as bold listings, trademarks and display ads.

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Directory Assistance Charge

If applicable in your state, directory assistance charge is a cost for providing a telephone number. It is included under the “Other Charges and Credits” portion of the bill.

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Emergency 911 Service

Enables a caller to dial 911 to connect to a Public Safety Answering Point for emergency assistance without a charge. Call your municipality for any questions concerning the charge.

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FCC

Federal Communications Commission.

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FCC Charge for Network Access

Charge not only covers the cost for network access allowing customers to make local and long distance calls, it also enables the Bell Operating Companies to recover some of the cost of equipment and facilities maintenance. Customers are billed one FCC Charge per line each month.

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Feature

Enhancement to a product. A product may have one or more features.

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Late Payment Charge

May apply if you pay your BellSouth bill after your bill due date. The late payment charge varies by state.

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Local Usage Charge

Applies if you subscribe to a product and/or service which is billed based on usage rather than a flat amount.

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Login ID

It is your 10-digit telephone number.

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Maintenance Plan

Provides for maintenance and repairs of inside wiring associated with basic service.

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BellSouth® MemoryCall® Mailbox Usage Charge

Applies for each additional minute above the allocated minutes shown on your bill. Usage is based on the time required for delivery and retrieval of messages.

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Monthly Call Allowance

The number of free directory assistance calls allowed by each state.

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Multiple Feature Credit

Offers customers a discounted monthly rate when two or more optional features are selected. Also called Multiple Feature Discount. Not offered in all states.

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Nonregulated Charges

Charges not controlled by the FCC or your state public utilities regulatory agency. An example is 900 calls.

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Optional Services

Not necessary to provide network access for long distance and local calling.

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Other Service Providers

Charges for products and services provided by companies other than BellSouth. Charges for BellSouth Internet Services may appear in this bill section.

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Password

Special code that is required to gain access to a program, Web site, or other computer resource. It is designed to restrict information to certain people.

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Payable in US Funds

Payment for BellSouth charges are to be made in US currency or written against financial institutions in US funds.

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Product

Any billable entity that the company offers to a customer. This includes leased and sold items.

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Public Service Commission

Governs, at the state level, the regulated network products and services provided by communication companies.

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Regulated Charges

Governed by your state public utilities regulatory agency and billed by BellSouth.

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Remittance Stub

The lower portion of the BellSouth bill which can be separated at the perforation and returned with your payment in the envelope provided. Please do not fold or staple your remittance stub. This could delay payment processing.

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Service

Any billable entity that the company offers to a customer.

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State Public Utilities Regulatory Agency

Governs at the state level the regulated network products and services provided by communication companies.

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Telecommunications Access System Act Surcharge

See Telecommunications Relay Service Charge.

Telecommunications Relay Service Charge

Ordered by the Public Service Commission to fund the relay service for hearing/speech-impaired customers. Depending on your state, this charge is also known as Compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act or Telecommunications Access System Act Surcharge.

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