---
title: "What must a telephone bill include to comply with the FCC's Truth-in-Billing rules under 47 CFR 64.2401? Answer in under 100 words."
canonical: https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/telecom/truth-in-billing-requirements-47-cfr-64-2401
jurisdiction: "US Federal · FCC (47 CFR § 64.2401)"
last_verified: 2026-08-26
license: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
attribution: "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)"
---

# What must a telephone bill include to comply with the FCC's Truth-in-Billing rules under 47 CFR 64.2401? Answer in under 100 words.

For telephone bills under the FCC's Truth-in-Billing rules, 47 CFR 64.2401 requires bills to be clearly organized, with each service provider identified, carrier charges separated, and third-party non-telecommunications charges in a distinct, separately subtotaled section displayed with the bill total. Each charge needs a clear, non-misleading plain-language description. Bills must distinguish basic-service charges that can trigger disconnection from those that cannot, disclose a toll-free inquiry number (or email/website for electronic bills), and if third-party blocking is offered, notify subscribers on bills and websites. Unauthorized charges ('cramming') are prohibited.

## Details / How it works

Under § 64.2401, telephone bills must identify the service provider for each charge and, when multiple carriers appear, separate charges by provider. Third-party non-telecommunications charges must go in a distinct, separately subtotaled section. Every charge must have a brief, clear, non-misleading, plain-language description of the service rendered. Where basic local service is billed, the bill must distinguish charges whose non-payment causes disconnection from those that do not, clearly identifying the latter.

## Numbers & thresholds

No dollar or percentage thresholds are set; the rule instead requires structural clarity. The key requirements are:  

| Bill element | Required treatment |
|---|---|
| Service provider identification | Clearly and conspicuously identified for each charge |
| Multiple carrier charges | Separated (grouped) by provider |
| Third-party non-telecom charges | Distinct section, separately subtotaled; subtotals and bill total displayed on the payment page or equivalent electronic location |
| Description of charges | Brief, clear, non-misleading, plain-language |
| Disconnection risk | Distinguish basic-service charges subject to disconnection from others |
| Inquiry contact | Toll-free number (or e-mail/Web site for electronic-only bills) |

## Exceptions & edge cases

'Clear and conspicuous' means notice that would be apparent to a reasonable consumer. For electronic bills, 'equivalent location' includes any location where the bill total is displayed, such as an email notification or an electronic link/notice on a website or payment portal. A carrier may list a third-party billing agent's toll-free number if that party has sufficient account information and is authorized to resolve complaints. Carriers that offer blocking of third-party charges must notify subscribers at the point of sale, on each carrier's website, and on each bill, and they may not place unauthorized charges ('cramming').

## Sources

- [1] U.S. National Archives, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 47 CFR 64.2401 — Truth-in-Billing Requirements · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/section-64.2401 · as of 2026-08-26