FCC Releases Order on Reconsideration for Lifeline Broadband Providers (LBPs)
New FCC Chairman Pai released an Order on Reconsideration for LBP designations on Friday, allowing the FCC to reconsider the Lifeline Broadband Provider (LBP) designations for nine new Lifeline broadband providers. Recently effective changes per the 2016 Lifeline Modernization Order included the extension of the Lifeline Program to include broadband services. Inclusion of Lifeline-supported broadband allows…
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USAC Submits 2017 National Verifier Plan for Lifeline Program to FCC
Updates to the November 2016 Draft of the National Verifier Plan have been submitted to the FCC and the January 2017 National Verifier Plan is available to review. The rollout of this plan estimates that the system, which will replace annual Lifeline recertification and the FCC Form 497, will begin implementation on December 31 of... READ MORE
Lifeline Broadband Provider (LBP) Designation, Minimum Service Standards
On September 30, 2016, the FCC released a Public Notice (DA 16-118) that offers additional guidance from the Wireline Competition Bureau to entities seeking Lifeline Broadband Provider (LBP) designations for the Lifeline program. Included in the notice are minimum service standards for Lifeline-supported Broadband Internet Access Service (BIAS), and guidelines that will be applicable to LBPs and eligible telecommunications... READ MORE
FCC Press Release: FCC MODERNIZES LIFELINE PROGRAM FOR THE DIGITAL AGE
As originally posted by the FCC Here: http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2016/db0331/DOC-338676A1.pdf New Rules Will Help Make Broadband More Affordable for Low-Income Americans WASHINGTON, March 31, 2016 – The Federal Communications Commission today modernized and reformed its Lifeline program to help low income consumers afford access to the 21st Century’s vital communications network: the Internet. Since 1985, Lifeline has helped... READ MORE
Broadband: A Lifeline for the 21st Century
AS POSTED ON THE FCC BLOG FOUND HERE: https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/blog/2016/03/08/broadband-lifeline-21st-century March 8, 2016 – 11:00 am By Tom Wheeler | FCC Chairman Mignon Clyburn | Commissioner If you’re reading this blog, you’ve probably come to take Internet access for granted. Without even thinking about it, millions of us go online multiple times daily, to check e-mail, catch up on the…
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FCC pushes TracFone to start unlocking handsets as part of settlement
By Phil Goldstein, Editor of Fierce Wireless The FCC reached a settlement with América Móvil's U.S. MVNO, TracFone Wireless, which will force TracFone to unlock its customers' handsets. An FCC investigation found that TracFone violated agency rules by improperly and repeatedly certifying that it would unlock phones for its customers enrolled in the FCC's Lifeline program... READ MORE
Business Misconceptions and the NPRM
Every American should have access to essential communication services, and in today’s world, that includes Broadband service. The Lifeline framework can, and should, be a critical tool to help make that idea a reality. In its recently released Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Order of Reconsideration, Second Report and Order and Memorandum Opinion and... READ MORE
NEW FCC RULE for ETCs Who Assess a Monthly Fee Go Into Effect July 22nd, 2015
New FCC rule for ETCs who assess a monthly fee goes into effect July 22nd, 2015. Lifeline ETCs who assess a monthly fee for service must now also collect the monthly fee or de-enroll any subscribers who have 60 consecutive days of non-use. The FCC published in the Federal Register on June 22, 2015, the Order... READ MORE
FCC Orders Lifeline ETCs That Assess Monthly Fees to Collect Them or De-Enroll
On March 31, 2015, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau released two documents important to Lifeline providers. The first is an Order and rule amendments to clarify that if an ETC assesses a monthly fee to subscribers in order to avoid the Lifeline usage requirements, then that ETC must also collect the monthly fee. ETCs that…
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911 Fees and Taxes on No-Charge Lifeline Services
Last year, our attorney filed comments on behalf of the National Lifeline Association in support of an Emergency Petition for Declaratory Ruling that requested FCC preemption of state laws that impose 911 fees and taxes on no-charge lifeline services filed by TracFone Wireless. The FCC has not yet ruled on this petition. On March 13th, 2015,... READ MORE