FCC Rate Cap
FCC rate caps are federal limits set by the Federal Communications Commission on how much correctional facilities and their contracted phone providers can charge per minute for inmate phone calls. Under rules effective April 6, 2026, the cap is $0.11 per minute for large prisons and jails, up to $0.18 per minute for the smallest facilities. Video call caps are $0.23 per minute at large facilities.
What Is FCC Rate Cap?
The FCC has been regulating prison phone call rates since 2013. The 2025 order, effective April 6, 2026, set interim caps of $0.11 per minute at large prisons and jails, $0.14 at medium facilities, $0.16 at small facilities, and $0.18 at the smallest jails. These are significantly lower than historical rates that often exceeded $1.00 per minute.
These are caps, not fixed rates. Providers can charge less. States that have eliminated call charges entirely such as California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York go beyond the FCC caps. The FCC rate caps do not cover transaction fees on money transfers or tablet content purchases.
Related Terms
Explore other glossary terms that are closely connected to this topic.
Inmate Phone Calls
Inmate phone calls are outgoing calls placed by an incarcerated person from a facility phone system to approved contacts, using a prepaid account managed through a contracted provider such as ConnectNetwork or GettingOut.
CommunicationCollect Call
A collect call is a telephone call where the charges are billed to the person receiving the call rather than the person placing it.
CommunicationAdvancePay
AdvancePay is a prepaid collect calling service offered by GTL through ConnectNetwork that allows family members to fund a calling account linked to their phone number so an inmate can call them.
People Also Ask
Related questions families often search for alongside this topic.
What is Inmate Phone Calls?
Inmate phone calls are outgoing calls placed by an incarcerated person from a facility phone system to approved contacts, using a prepaid account managed through a contracted provider such as ConnectNetwork or GettingOut.
Read full definitionWhat is Collect Call?
A collect call is a telephone call where the charges are billed to the person receiving the call rather than the person placing it.
Read full definitionWhat is AdvancePay?
AdvancePay is a prepaid collect calling service offered by GTL through ConnectNetwork that allows family members to fund a calling account linked to their phone number so an inmate can call them.
Read full definitionReady to Get Started?
Now that you understand FCC Rate Cap, explore the provider directory, compare your options, or browse all facilities to find the right fit for your situation.