JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On average, people spend about $114 a month on their cellphone bills.
If you take a closer look at your bill, you might find some extra fees, like a 911 surcharge, administrative charges and different service fees.
The amount you pay for those really depends on where you live. They vary from city to city.
Many of those fees are unavoidable, but the FCC requires service providers to take certain steps when it comes to billing.
RELATED: Groceries, Banking & Internet: How to pay less and still get what you need
First, providers must use clear, factual, plain language when it comes to the services being billed
They also have to identify which service is associated with each charge
And are required to specify which charges can lead to disconnection if they are not paid
Also, they have to display one or more toll-free numbers that you can call to ask about or dispute any charge
If those aren’t happening, you can file a complaint with the FCC, FTC or state public service commission.
There are some ways you can reduce your bill.
First, enroll in autopay. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint all offer up to $10 off per month.
You can also negotiate your price. Be polite yet firm when threatening to leave your current provider. They’re usually motivated to keep customers and may lower your rate to keep you.
Also, research new discounts or promotions. Always get the offer in writing and compare it to any programs you might already be enrolled in.
Providers often only give customers one promotion at a time, and you should know -- making a change may cost you more in the long run.