Cell phone bills to go up in West Virginia
According to a release Thursday from the Public Service Commission (PSC) of West Virginia, the wireless enhanced 911 (WE911) fee in West Virginia will increase by 10.2 percent in July, going from $3.64 to $4.01. On top of that, wireless providers will begin to collect a $0.08 wireless tower fee and a $0.29 public safety wireless fee, both of which will be shown separately on customers' bills.
In total, customers will see their 911 fees jump from $3.64 to $4.38.
All of West Virginia under Air Quality Alert Thursday
So what do these funds do?
The funds from these new fees are designed to go toward improving and operating 911 and emergency phone services, the release said. The PSC collects the fees through wireless service providers, but the funds are redistributed to counties.
The WE911 fee can be recalculated every two years based on costs that county commissions impose on local exchange and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) users, which is known as the enhanced 911 fee. If the enhanced 911 fee goes up by a certain percentage, the WE911 fee is set to match it.
In March 2025, the PSC voted to increase the enhanced 911 fee by 10.17 percent, meaning that the WE911 fee has now been raised to match, rounding to the nearest penny. According to the West Virginia State Code, the fee can never increase by more than 25% at a time.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Southern Company's Georgia Power Freezes Base Rates Through 2028
The Southern Company's SO subsidiary, Georgia Power, recently announced the approval of the stable and predictable base rates by the Georgia Public Service Commission ('PSC') through the end of 2028. The decision stems from a stipulated agreement between Georgia Power and the PSC's Public Interest Advocacy Staff and extends an alternate rate plan initially approved in 2022. Georgia's economy is booming, spurring a significant increase in electricity demand. To meet this rising need while keeping energy costs affordable, Georgia Power has collaborated closely with state and local officials, business leaders and community stakeholders. This collaboration has resulted in proactive regulatory measures, including the 2023 Integrated Resource Plan Update and revised rules to better manage the load impacts from large-scale energy users. These steps are designed to balance reliability, resiliency and fairness across Georgia Power's 2.8 million customer base. While base rates are set to remain unchanged, costs related to storm recovery, such as those from Hurricane Helene, will be handled in a separate regulatory proceeding expected in the first half of 2026. This ensures that storm-related expenses are managed transparently, without impacting the stability of base rates for customers. The rate freeze follows five rate increases since 2023 that have pushed the average customer's monthly bill up by $43, a rise of more than 20%. With energy prices surging across the United States, Georgia PSC encouraged the staff and Georgia Power to reach an agreement to hold base rates steady, marking a clear win for ratepayers. The CEO of the company emphasized the importance of maintaining reliable and affordable energy, citing the rate freeze as a testament to the state's robust and cooperative regulatory framework. He further reflected upon the mutual benefits of economic growth and customer affordability, stating that affordable rates among customers will help ensure economic growth in the state of Georgia. The Southern Company deals with the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and serves approximately nine million customers through its seven electric and natural gas distribution units. Currently, SO has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Investors interested in the utility sector might look at some better-ranked stocks like National Grid plc NGG, Engie SA ENGIY and CenterPoint Energy, Inc. CNP. While National Grid and Engie currently sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each, CenterPoint Energy carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. National Grid is an international energy delivery business whose principal activities are in the regulated electricity and gas industries. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NGG's 2025 earnings indicates 42.02% year-over-year growth. Engieengages in the power, natural gas and energy services businesses. It operates through Renewables, Networks, Energy Solutions, FlexGen, Retail, Nuclear and Others segments. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ENGIY's 2025 earnings indicates 24.58% year-over-year growth. Houston, TX-based CenterPoint Energy is a domestic energy delivery company that provides electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CNP's 2025 earnings indicates 8.02% year-over-year growth. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Southern Company (The) (SO) : Free Stock Analysis Report CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) : Free Stock Analysis Report National Grid Transco, PLC (NGG) : Free Stock Analysis Report ENGIE - Sponsored ADR (ENGIY) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Baltimore City leaders call for end of BGE's 'Operation Pipeline' program, multi-year rate hikes
Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen and other city leaders are calling for a halt to Baltimore Gas and Electric's 'Operation Pipeline' program. The program aims to upgrade hundreds of miles of natural gas pipes and equipment across Maryland by replacing cast iron and bare steel pipes with new, more durable lines. In 2023, the Maryland Public Service Commission approved BGE's multi-year rate hike plan, which authorized a series of rate increases between 2024 and 2026. The plan, in part, will pay for the upgrades. But city leaders argue the program is driving up customer bills and increasing the company's profits. This isn't the first time city leaders have called for an end to the rate hikes. An analysis released by the Office of the People's Counsel in February found that spending on gas infrastructure is fueling the hikes, and projected even higher winter bills in the future if the company continues its current level of capital investment. The report says gas utilities will spend about $744 million on gas infrastructure in 2025. Shortly after the OPC's report was released, the Baltimore City Council passed a resolution calling on the PSC to stop the multi-year rate hikes, arguing that the infrastructure upgrades should not be paid for by taxpayers. Maryland sees rising utility costs BGE raised their rates on January 1, increasing the average residential gas bill by 9% and the electric bill by 7%. During the winter, Maryland households reported some of their highest gas bills ever. But BGE said that while the pipeline upgrades are a part of the cost increases, a 30% rise in natural gas prices over the past year, and increased spending on energy efficiency programs mandated by the state also play a factor.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Solis partners with DIDWW to facilitate expansion in Europe through advanced VoIP services
DUBLIN, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solis (Ginlong Technologies), the world's third largest PV inverter manufacturer, has teamed up with DIDWW, a leading telecom provider specializing in virtual phone numbers and two-way SIP trunking services for businesses all over the world. This initiative will equip Solis with a reliable and highly flexible VoIP communications solution, strengthening its expansion across Europe while leveraging seamless connectivity in global two decades of solar innovation, Solis has recently launched two groundbreaking products that redefine standards in solar and storage technology – the world's largest wall-mounted hybrid inverter and Solis AI, an intelligent energy assistant designed to optimize solar energy usage for homes and businesses. These advancements further reinforce Solis' commitment to providing sustainable energy solutions, aligning with the company's vision for smarter, more efficient power management worldwide. By partnering with DIDWW, Solis will utilize the operator's two-way SIP trunking services and benefit from its extensive global coverage of virtual phone numbers. With 35 service centers and offices worldwide including a strong presence across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and now Europe, Solis requires a reliable and scalable communication solution to support its business operations and maintain efficiency across diverse markets. Alfred Van Slooten, Customer Service Manager at Solis, said, 'At Solis, our service and commitment to customers underpins everything we do, and for that reason, technology should not only be powerful but also personal. As we expand across Europe, it's vital that our communication support systems reflect the same care and responsiveness we strive to offer our customers. Partnering with DIDWW gives us more than just advanced VoIP capabilities – it provides a team that understands the importance of rapid response, clear communication, and fast resolution. Their personal approach mirrors our own values, helping us stay close to our customers and partners, no matter where they are. This collaboration ensures we continue to deliver the kind of attentive, customer-centric service that defines Solis.' Karolis Jurys, Commercial Director at DIDWW, added, 'We are proud to partner with Solis as we share a commitment to promoting environmentally responsible practices. By providing reliable voice services, we are supporting Solis' expansion across Europe. With access to our extensive portfolio of virtual numbers, Solis benefits from a unified and efficient communication solution. This collaboration reflects our dedication to delivering high-quality SIP trunking services, enabling businesses to grow in every market they serve.' About DIDWW DIDWW is a fully licensed telecom operator specializing in virtual phone numbers and two-way Voice and Messaging services across 90+ countries. The company is continuously expanding coverage and now holds telecom licenses in 30 countries, with its own numbering resources in 19 of them. DIDWW's innovative cloud PBX solution, is armed with AI-driven tools, seamless CRM integrations, and multiplatform apps for Windows, iOS, macOS, and Android. For more information, visit About Solis Established in 2005, Ginlong (Solis) Technologies is one of the most experienced and largest manufacturers of PV string inverters. Presented under the Solis brand, the company's portfolio uses innovative string inverter technology to deliver first-class reliability that has been validated under the most stringent international certifications. Armed with a global supply chain, world-class R&D, and manufacturing capabilities, Ginlong optimizes its inverters for each regional market, servicing and supporting its customers with its team of local experts. For more information, visit Press Contact:Vilija SimkieneMarketing Departmentvilija.s@ (212) 461 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
