1: What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept all major forms of credit card including MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. We also allow ACH processing once the initial account deposit is made. We do not store any credit card information on our systems. Instead we utilize the Authorize.net Customer Information Manager (CIM) service which tokenizes and stores our customers’ sensitive payment information on the Authorize.net secure servers.
2: How can I change my method of payment on file?
To add or change a method of payment on file with us, please visit the billing section of the Control Panel.
3: Can I upgrade or downgrade my unlimited channel rate plan?
Yes. You can upgrade your number of unlimited channels anytime in the Control Panel under in the ‘Trunks’ section. Simply click on ‘Modify Rate Plan’ and we will pro-rate the channel upgrades. Channel downgrades are effective on your next billing cycle.
4: How do I cancel my service and can I cancel at anytime?
You can cancel your service online via the Control Panel at any time. There are no partial-month refunds for unlimited SIP trunks or DID numbers.
5: What are federal USF/TRS charges?
The Federal Universal Service Fund (USF), created by the federal government, is designed to help ensure first-class, affordable telecommunications service for all consumers across the country, especially residents in high-cost rural communities and low-income customers. Additionally, the Federal USF provides for discounted telecommunications services for schools, libraries, and rural healthcare facilities. All telecommunications providers are required to pay into the Federal USF, and their contributions may be recovered from customers. The FUSF is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is a telephone service that allows persons with hearing or speech disabilities to place and receive telephone calls. TRS is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories for local and/or long-distance calls. TRS providers – generally telephone companies – are compensated for the costs of providing TRS from either a state or a federal fund. There is no cost to the TRS user.
6: How much are federal USF/TRS charges?
Effective April 1, 2003, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has changed the way in which carriers can recover their USF obligations. Rather than a flat-rate monthly charge, which customers have seen in the past, BIPmd began recovering the USF based on a percentage of each customer’s telecommunications charges. The percentage is based on a contribution factor announced by the FCC and is subject to modification by the FCC. More information along with current and proposed rates is available on the FCC website.
7: Am I exempt from federal USF/TRS charges?
All customers must pay the Federal Universal Service Fund and Telecommunications Relay Services Fund charges. Under FCC rules and policies, telecommunications service providers (including resellers) that pay FUSF contributions directly to USAC are typically exempt from paying FUSF charges to underlying providers such as BIPmd. Accordingly, BIPmd will not bill FUSF charges to a customer that is a telecommunications services reseller and demonstrates that the customer: (a) has registered with the FCC and/or USAC under the FUSF program; (b) has a valid Filer 499 ID as proof of such registration; and (c) is listed on the FCC’s website as a direct contributor to the FUSF program. To request a BIPmd USF exemption form, please contact the BIPmd billing department..
