Over the past 10 years, the average monthly bill for wireless services has decreased nearly 40 percent, and the average cost consumers pay for a minute of wireless service has dropped to just a dime from 47 cents over the same time.

But the taxes, fees and surcharges that appear on your bill each month continue to rise. During the 15 months beginning in January 2003 and ending in April 2004, taxes specifically on wireless services increased nine times faster than taxes on other goods and services that fall under a general sales and use tax. Nineteen states - from New York to Arkansas - now tax wireless services at double-digit rates.

Depending on where you live, fully 20 percent of your monthly wireless bill - no matter which service provider you choose - could go to taxes, fees and the costs of government mandates, instead of for the innovative, valuable and reliable wireless services you really want.

Verizon Wireless believes it's time for that to change. On behalf of our customers, Verizon Wireless is fighting these tax increases in Congress and state legislatures.

More taxes imposed by state and local governments means there's less money available to keep building, upgrading and enhancing wireless networks across the country. That means it might take longer to introduce more cool services for wireless phones - the things that consumers have come to expect such as text messaging, downloading ringtones, music, videos and wallpaper for phones, and access to the Internet, and even newer innovations that take advantage of high-speed mobile data applications.

Verizon Wireless works every day with local, state and federal officials across the country to prevent the imposition of new taxes and surcharges on wireless services, and to eliminate such taxes wherever possible. Fewer taxes and fees will lead to more demand for wireless services, which will encourage companies, including Verizon Wireless, to keep improving their networks and offering more exciting new services to their customers.

Visit www.mywireless.org to find out more about the taxes you pay on your wireless service, which states have the highest tax rates, and how you can contact your elected representatives to make your voice heard on an issue that directly impacts your pocketbook.

Or, if you'd like to learn more about wireless taxes and fees, visit CTIA - the Wireless Association™ at www.ctia.org or email them at wirelesstax@ctia.org. CTIA is the international trade association that represents the wireless industry.