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…
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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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Free Cell Phones for Veterans: Benefits & Lifeline Eligibility
Revisions to the 2016 Lifeline Modernization Order Changes from the 2016 Lifeline Modernization Order included revisions to accepted eligibility documentation for recipients of the Lifeline Program. As part of the changes which went into effect December 2, 2016, the program has added two new benefits as acceptable proof of eligibility for Lifeline: the Veterans Pension…
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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
Benefit Port Freeze, Lifeline Modernization Order
The pending changes within Lifeline per the Modernization order will go effect in on December 2. Yesterday, NLAD released a new version (2.8.11) into the pre-production environment that includes the 12 month or 60 day Port Freeze Restriction, which will go live when the order takes effect next month. USAC confirms the intentions of the upcoming changes…
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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
FREE Workshop: NaLA & Lifeline News
We are excited to announce that a FREE NaLA Workshop will be held on Monday, November 14th, 2016 at 1:30pm at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. This 4-hour workshop is completely FREE for NaLA members. Some of the topics to be discussed include: FCC Items: Snapshot, Data Port Freeze, Rolling Re-certifications, etc. California Lifeline Landscape NaLA ISO Certified Program NaLA Certified Phone Program To... READ MORE
CA Governor Approves PUC Port Freeze Rule for Lifeline
California Gov. Jerry Brown (D.) has signed into law a bill that will require the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to adopt a “portability freeze” rule for the state’s LifeLine universal telephone service program by Jan. 15, 2017. Legislative Counsel’s Digest and bill text, below, on the act to add Section 878.5 to the Public Utilities Code…
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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