Püsitasu

Püsitasu is an Estonian term that translates to "standing charge" or "fixed charge" in English. It refers to a recurring fee that is charged regardless of the actual usage of a service. This type of charge is common in various utility and service sectors, such as electricity, gas, water, telecommunications, and internet subscriptions.

The purpose of a püsitasu is often to cover the basic costs associated with maintaining the infrastructure and providing the service, even if the customer does not consume much of it. For example, in an electricity contract, the püsitasu might cover the costs of maintaining the power grid and the connection to the customer's property, irrespective of how much electricity is actually used. Similarly, in telecommunications, it can cover the cost of maintaining the network and the line.

This fixed charge is typically billed on a regular basis, often monthly or annually. It is separate from any variable charges that are based on consumption or usage. Therefore, a customer will always incur the püsitasu, even if they use the service minimally or not at all during a billing period. Understanding the püsitasu is important for consumers to accurately assess the total cost of a service and compare different providers.