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How 911 Fees Differ for Cell Phones, Landlines, and VoIP

911 charges depend on state and local rules, service type, and billing method. See how landline, wireless, prepaid, and VoIP fees can differ and how to verify yours.
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There is no single U.S. 911 fee for every phone type. State and local governments set the rules, and the amount and billing method can vary by location, service category, account size, and whether wireless service is prepaid. To find the exact charge, you need the state—and sometimes the local emergency communications authority—plus the service type on your bill.

Why is there a 911 fee on my cell phone bill?

State and local governments authorize 911 charges that providers collect through telephone or wireless service. Governments distribute the collected fees to 911 call centers to help pay for 911 operations. Many agencies also use general funds to support 911 technology, operations, training, and administration. The National 911 Program explains how fees are collected and used; the FCC reports annually to Congress on state and territorial collection and distribution, including whether funds are used for purposes other than supporting 911 services. FCC information on 911 fees.

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A government 911 surcharge is distinct from a provider-imposed plan charge or other taxes and fees. A bill label that mentions 911 does not, by itself, establish which type of charge it is; check the provider’s explanation and the applicable government schedule.

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Do landlines and VoIP have the same 911 charge?

Not necessarily. A jurisdiction may group VoIP with wireline service, set a separate VoIP amount, or use another charging rule. The service label alone does not tell you the fee: compare the category and billing basis in your state or local schedule.

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Landlines: often charged per access line

Some jurisdictions charge a recurring amount for each telephone access line. In Texas, the state charge is $0.50 per month per local exchange access line or equivalent line in areas served by a regional planning commission. In areas served by an emergency communication district, that district sets the rate. Texas Comptroller: 911 service fees.

Cell phones: monthly lines or prepaid transactions

Postpaid wireless service commonly has a monthly per-line assessment, but the amount and charging rules are jurisdiction-specific. Connecticut’s FY 2026/27 schedule sets a $0.74 monthly assessment for each wireless subscriber line; unlike its wireline and VoIP schedule, the wireless assessment does not decrease with account size. Connecticut DESPP: 911 surcharge.

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Prepaid wireless may instead incur a charge when service is purchased, rather than a recurring monthly subscriber fee. NENA’s 2025 comparison lists Colorado as an example: $0.12 for listed postpaid wireline and wireless categories and a separate $2.09 prepaid transaction charge. Those figures illustrate different charging bases, not a nationwide rule; confirm current rates with the state authority. NENA 911 fee comparison.

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VoIP: treatment depends on the jurisdiction

Texas includes VoIP applications under its equivalent-local-exchange-access-line rule. Connecticut includes VoIP in its wireline schedule. Elsewhere, VoIP may have a separate rate or no separately listed surcharge. A 911 fee classification does not determine what emergency-call features a particular VoIP service provides; that is a separate service question.

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What the example rates show

These examples demonstrate why phone type alone cannot predict the bill. They are not a complete comparison or a national average.

Jurisdiction and source Service category Charge and basis
Texas; Texas Comptroller, accessed 2026 Local exchange access line or equivalent line in areas served by a regional planning commission $0.50 per month per line; emergency communication districts set rates in their own areas.
Connecticut; DESPP FY 2026/27 schedule Wireless subscriber line $0.74 per month per line; no progressive multi-line discount.
Connecticut; DESPP FY 2026/27 schedule Wireline or VoIP account Per-line monthly amount depends on the account’s number of lines, as shown below.
Colorado; NENA comparison, 2025 Listed postpaid wireline and wireless categories $0.12 hybrid state/local charge; verify with the state authority.
Colorado; NENA comparison, 2025 Prepaid wireless transaction $2.09 per transaction; verify with the state authority.
California; NENA comparison, 2025 Listed postpaid categories $0.41 state-only charge; verify with the state authority.

Connecticut’s FY 2026/27 monthly wireline and VoIP amounts are per line and vary with the account’s line count:

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Lines on account Monthly amount per line
1 $0.74
2 $0.56
3 $0.50
4–5 $0.44
6–10 $0.37
11–25 $0.30
26–50 $0.24
51–99 $0.19
100 or more $0.15

Rates can change. Connecticut’s figures above apply to FY 2026/27; NENA’s comparison is dated 2025 and should be checked against the relevant state authority. The available figures do not establish a reliable national average.

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How do I find the 911 surcharge for my city or state?

  1. Identify the location. Start with your state. Check whether your county, municipality, emergency communication district, or another local authority sets or adds a charge.
  2. Read the bill label and service category. Determine whether the line is traditional wireline, postpaid wireless, prepaid wireless, or VoIP. Do not assume similar-looking charges on different services use the same rule.
  3. Find the current official fee schedule. Compare the bill’s service category with the state or local government’s schedule. Check whether the amount is monthly per line, tiered by account size, based on a prepaid transaction, or a state/local combination.
  4. Confirm an unclear amount with the provider or authority. Ask which jurisdiction and service category the charge uses, and whether a local assessment is included. A precise total cannot be determined without those details.

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