Mignon Clyburn, Digital Divide is Widening for Low Income Americans
On March 20th, 2018, at the New School’s Digital Equity Laboratory, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn spoke about the digital divide and the need for every American, regardless of economic status, to have access to affordable high-speed internet. She talked about digital redlining, the Lifeline Program, the effects of not allowing consumer privacy for public usage, and…
READ MORE
Sprint Opposes Lifeline Wireless Reseller Ban
Postponing of Lifeline Program Eligibility Verifier (National Verifier) In addition to concerns about the ban of wireless resellers in Lifeline, Sprint also asserts in the letter to the FCC that the National Verifier is a crucial part of reducing waste, fraud, and abuse within the program – and should be the most important focus of…
READ MORE
NaLA to NARUC, on Resolution in Support of Wireless Resellers
NaLA released a press release earlier this week, thanking the NARUC on their resolution in support of reseller participation in the Lifeline Program. The resolution was in response to several FCC initiates that threaten to remove wireless resellers from providing Lifeline service to low-income American families in need of essential communication services. The consumer committee endorsed the…
READ MORE
Dems Request GAO Review of FCC on Lifeline National Verifier
Jan. 25, 2018 — A letter from a number of members from the U.S. House Energy & Commerce aasked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the FCC’s efforts to deploy the Lifeline Program National Verifier — an initiative that aims to verify subscriber information for Lifeline Program participants and ultimately increase the integrity of…
READ MORE
Cherokee Tribal Organization ‘Stongly Opposes’ FCC Lifeline Changes
November 9 — In light of the FCC’s proposed changes to the Lifeline Program, there have been responses from several Native American Tribal Organizations, including Oklahoma’s Cherokee Nation, the United States’ largest federally-recognized tribe. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief, Bill Baker wrote the FCC to express strong opposition to the proposed changes that will be up…
READ MORE
Tribes Request Delay of Lifeline Changes Affecting Tribal Members
November 7, 2017 — Native Public Media responds to recent proposed Lifeline Program changes that will greatly impact areas that currently receive Enhanced Lifeline Tribal Support in a letter to the FCC. A draft of the orders explaining the proposed changes to the Lifeline Program was released on October 26th, 2017 and the proposed rulings…
READ MORE
Colville Tribe Responds to FCC Plans for Tribal Lifeline Funds
November 7, 2017 — The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (CTCR) sent a response to the FCC, regarding recent changes that will soon be decided regarding the Lifeline Program changes, specifically the proposal to limit Tribal Lifeline Funds (and eventually all Lifeline funds) to facilities-based providers. Dr. Michael E. Marchand, Chairman of the CTCR, writes…
READ MORE
FCC News: Broadband Service A Priority in Infrastructure Spending Bill
Making Broadband Service A Priority in the Infrastructure Spending Bill FCC Chairman Ajit Pai spoke at Carnegie Melon University in Pittsburgh last week, addressing his views on the importance that broadband become a priority in the infrastructure spending bill. His speech was one of many on a tour to share his broadband agenda in several cities, including... READ MORE
FCC News: Chairman Pai On Recent Federal Lifeline Program Order
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai released a statement addressing the controversy surrounding the Order on Reconsideration of Lifeline Broadband Provider designations, clarifying his support of bridging the digital divide. In the statement, Pai cites his first two proposals as FCC Chairman as evidence of his commitment to the Federal Lifeline Program, a program that helps underserved…
READ MORE