PSC lowers surcharge

From: South Florida Business Journal, FL - May 11, 2007

Because it expects costs to be lower for its telecommunications services for the auditory and speech impaired, the Florida Florida Public Service Commission has lowered a monthly surcharge that affects Florida telephone customers.

The state regulator said it will cut the surcharge to fund the Florida Relay Service (FRS) to 11 cents from 15 cents for fiscal year 2007-2008.

The state estimated the change will save ratepayers more than $4.6 million.

The 2007-2008 FRS budget is nearly $12.4 million.

In addition to providing critical access to basic telecommunications services for Florida's deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind and speech-impaired citizens via specialized telephone equipment, FRS also provides a communications assistance operator to relay information.

"Without the Florida Relay Service, Floridians with hearing and speech disabilities would be unable to access the telecommunications services that are so central to the ability to communicate and to participate in today's information-driven society," noted Lisa Polak Edgar, PSC chairman.

© 2007 American City Business Journals, Inc.