A tariff is a schedule of rates and regulations set by the telecommunications services provider, and approved by the appropriate federal and state regulatory agencies. A tariff contains the official list of charges, terms, and conditions governing provision of a specific communications service. It functions in lieu of a contract between the subscriber (or user) and the supplier (or carrier). In other words, federal and state agencies would negotiate a tariff with the monopoly service provider on behalf of citizens who had no choice.