See below for answers to frequently asked questions about billing.
My first invoice is higher than I expected, why?
CBTS bills one month in advance for services. The first invoice will include the prorated charges from the date service was installed through the last day in the billing cycle in which the first invoice was generated, plus the following full month of service (month in advance). For example, if your account generates an invoice on the 10th of each month, your service was installed on January 12th, and you receive your first invoice on February 10th, that invoice will include prorated service charges from January 12th through February 9th, plus one month’s service in advance from February 10th through March 9th (almost 2 full months of service).
How does CBTS calculate prorated amounts?
Prorated amounts are calculated by converting the monthly rate for service into a daily rate, and multiplying the daily rate by the number of prorated days in the time period. The daily rate is calculated by taking the monthly rate of the service and multiplying it by 12 (to get the yearly rate) and dividing that result by 365. For example, if the monthly rate for a service is $150.00 and CBTS is billing that service for only 17 days, those 17 days would be billed $83.81, which is (150 x 12) / 365 = $4.93 (daily rate) x 17 days = $83.81
Why is my monthly invoice higher than my contracted rate?
There are several possible reasons to explain why you are paying more per month than detailed on your contract. It could be due to taxes, fees (surcharges), or usage-based charges such as long distance overage. It could also be because multiple services on your contract are combined on a single invoice. Another common reason is that services have been added or changed since your contract was originally signed. Any combination of these reasons could explain why your invoice is higher than the contracted rate.
What are the taxes and fees associated with my monthly service?
Taxes and fees can be difficult to predict because they depend on multiple factors including the type of service you have, where that service is installed, and dynamically changing rates. If your organization is not tax exempt, taxes depend on the type of service and have different rates based on the state and municipality in which service is installed. Most fees are outside CBTS control and are passed on by regulatory agencies such as the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and Public Utilities Commission. For more additional information regarding taxes and fees, visit our Detailed Taxes and Fees page here.
Who can I call if I have additional questions about my invoice or need to make changes to billing options?
You can contact a billing specialist from 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday by calling 888-638-1699 and selecting option 2.
When will my account be assessed a late payment fee and how is it calculated?
Payments are due in full 30 days from the date the invoice is generated. For example, if your account bills on the 10th of each month, payment must be processed and applied to the account by the end of the day on the 9th of the following month (before the next invoice generates) to avoid being considered past due. Any portion of the outstanding balance that is considered past due will be billed a late fee equal to 2% of that amount.
Can I view or pay my bill online??
Yes, MyCBTS provides customers the ability to receive bill ready notifications, view their bills online, and pay their bills. MyCBTS also has multiple reports available along with the ability to update contacts and submit billing inquiries. To set up an account go to mycbts.cbts.com or call 888-638-1699 option 2.
