NewsCalifornia News

Actions

California extends tax on phones to fund high-speed internet

California Broadband
Posted

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Californians could have higher cellphone bills because of two new laws signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The laws Newsom signed Friday make sure California will keep collecting a tax on phone bills.

They also let the state collect more of the tax. The money pays for building high-speed internet connections in unserved areas of the state.

The laws do not increase the tax. But it makes it easier for state regulators to change how the tax is collected. That could lead to higher rates for cellphone users. Currently, landline users pay more of the tax than cellphone customers.

Sign up for the Headline Newsletter and receive up to date information.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Monday

10/20/2025

Sunny

83° / 57°

1%

Tuesday

10/21/2025

Sunny

85° / 59°

1%

Wednesday

10/22/2025

Mostly Sunny

74° / 56°

3%

Thursday

10/23/2025

Sunny

75° / 55°

5%

Friday

10/24/2025

Mostly Sunny

76° / 55°

4%

Saturday

10/25/2025

Partly Cloudy

72° / 55°

4%

Sunday

10/26/2025

Partly Cloudy

72° / 53°

7%

Monday

10/27/2025

Sunny

72° / 52°

7%