Phone bills are about to go up for some in Texas. Here’s why.

Texans who call people in other parts of the state will likely see an increase in their phone bills starting this month after the Public Utility Commission approved a rate hike to help replenish a fund to provide cellphone service in rural Texas. (Credit: Kylie Cooper/The Texas Tribune)

Some Texans can expect their phone bills to go up starting this month after the Public Utility Commission of Texas adopted a rate hike in July.

The commission, which regulates the state’s electric, telecommunication, and water and sewer utilities, voted to increase the Texas Universal Service Fund surcharge, which telecommunication companies are required to pay to help maintain and operate cellphone services in rural parts of the state. The surcharge, which is based on the cost those companies pay to provide long-distance service within the state, will go up from 3.3% to 24%. Telecom companies typically pass those costs on to customers, according to the Universal Service Fund fact sheet.