FCC

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

Sound Principles for Lifeline Reform

Sound Principles for Lifeline Reform   by: Michael O'Rielly, FCC Commissioner February 13, 2015 - 03:51 PM Over the last few years, the Commission has taken action to reform each of its universal service distribution programs to refocus them on broadband. The only program outstanding is the Low-Income or "Lifeline" program. Given recent pronouncements, I... READ MORE