Beginning January 1, Oregon phone subscribers will pay 25 cents more each month – an additional $3 per line, per year – to help cover the cost of 911 emergency phone service.

Subscribers have been paying 75 cents a month since 1995. The Oregon Legislature approved the fee increase during this year’s session.

The fee applies to cell phones, landline phones, internet-based phone lines and prepaid phone minutes. Phone companies collect it on behalf of the Oregon Department of Revenue, which says the fee covers about a quarter of the cost to operate 911 call centers in the state.

-- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699