Minimum $5 Charge/500 Minute Proposal in Georgia on “Indefinite Hold;” Will Await Database Developments

In an interesting turn of events, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) today decided ... Read More

Maine PUC Cedes Lifeline ETC Designation and Regulation to FCC

On June 13, 2013, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) adopted an order ... Read More

Wheeler Confirmation Hearing for FCC Chairmanship Set for June 18

The U.S. Senate’s Commerce Committee, chaired by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), has scheduled ... Read More

Sen. McCaskill Asks FCC to Defund Lifeline

On June 11, Senator Claire McCaskill, a long-time critic of the Lifeline program, ... Read More

Database Webinar to be Presented by USAC and FCC

 Today, USAC and the FCC announced that they will present a webinar on ... Read More

Congress

The U.S. CapitolWheeler Confirmation Hearing for FCC Chairmanship Set for June 18

By Jim Smith on Thu, 13 Jun 2013
The U.S. Senate’s Commerce Committee, chaired by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), has scheduled a hearing on President Obama’s nomination of Thomas Wheeler to be Chairman of the FCC on Tuesday, June 18 at 2:30 PM Eastern.  The hearing will be webcast on the Committee’s website.  While a full Senate vote to approve ...
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The U.S. CapitolSen. McCaskill Asks FCC to Defund Lifeline

By Danielle Frappier on Thu, 13 Jun 2013
On June 11, Senator Claire McCaskill, a long-time critic of the Lifeline program, sent a letter to FCC Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn, requesting that the FCC "reevaluate" the Lifeline program and determine whether that funding should instead be used to fund the ConnectED initiative recently announced by the President.  That ...
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The U.S. CapitolGAO Audit Requested by Sen. McCaskill

By Danielle Frappier on Thu, 16 May 2013
Senator Claire McCaskill, a long-time critic of the Lifeline program, has sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office ("GAO"), requesting that it evaluate the FCC's recent reforms.  She requested that the GAO's Forensic Audit and Investigative Service team examine the extent to which the reforms have been effective and whether further ...
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FCC

Data storage cyber conceptDatabase Webinar to be Presented by USAC and FCC

By Danielle Frappier on Tue, 11 Jun 2013
 Today, USAC and the FCC announced that they will present a webinar on the new National Lifeline Accountability Database ("NLAD") on June 19, 2013 from 3:00 to 4:00 Eastern.  The NLAD aims to eliminate existing duplicate Lifeline support claims, and prevent duplicate claims going forward.  It is expected to be ...
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fcc-logo_white-on-light-blueRe-certification Process for 2013 Clarified

By Danielle Frappier on Thu, 23 May 2013
The FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau released a public notice late yesterday providing guidance about the 2013 annual re-certification process.  Under the new FCC rules, all Lifeline subscribers must fill out a form on an annual basis and certify that they continue to qualify for Lifeline.  Prior to adoption of the new rule, ...
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WhistleConsumers Targeted Again in “One Per Household” Enforcement Actions

By Jim Tomlinson on Thu, 23 May 2013
Today, the FCC Enforcement Bureau issued the latest batch of citations (sample citation) to individual consumers with multiple Lifeline accounts.  To date, the Enforcement Bureau has issued a total of 275 citations to individuals in 11 separate batches over the past three months.  As we previously reported, on February 13, the Enforcement Bureau first took action ...
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State

Georgia-150x99Minimum $5 Charge/500 Minute Proposal in Georgia on “Indefinite Hold;” Will Await Database Developments

By Jim Smith on Tue, 18 Jun 2013
In an interesting turn of events, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) today decided not to adopt proposed rules that would have imposed a requirement that Lifeline ETCs either bill and collect a $5 minimum monthly Lifeline rate or offer a Lifeline plan that includes 500 monthly minutes.  Instead, the PSC ...
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MaineMaine PUC Cedes Lifeline ETC Designation and Regulation to FCC

By Jim Smith on Sun, 16 Jun 2013
On June 13, 2013, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) adopted an order ceding its jurisdiction over Lifeline-only ETCs, including initial designation of Lifeline ETCs, to the FCC.  The MPUC found that “there is no longer any advantage to Maine consumers, financial or otherwise, for the Commission to administer the ...
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CaliforniaCalifornia Considering Changes to State LifeLine Program

By Melissa Slawson on Wed, 29 May 2013
  Yesterday, the first round of comments were recieved on the California Public Utilities Commission's LifeLine Scoping Memo, released in the California Universal Telephone Service (LifeLine) Program proceeding on April 10, 2013.  The Scoping Memo sought comment on a large number of issues pertaining to the state's LifeLine Program, including subsidy amounts, service and pricing requirements, possible expansion ...
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General

NewspaperWashington Post Article Debunks “False Rumors” Surrounding Lifeline Program

By Jim Smith on Tue, 16 Apr 2013
An April 10th, 2013 Washington Post article by national political correspondent Karen Tumulty provides an informed and balanced perspective on the controversies swirling around the federal Lifeline program and ongoing Congressional scrutiny of it.  Among other things, Tumulty debunks claims that the Obama administration is distributing free cellphones (“Obamaphones”) to welfare ...
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Colleagues holding question markSprint Filing Profiles Typical Lifeline Subscriber

By Adam Shoemaker on Tue, 16 Apr 2013
In advance of Congressional hearings next week, Sprint Nextel filed with the FCC a snapshot of its Virgin Mobile/Assurance Wireless Lifeline subscriber base, providing insight into the demographic characteristics of Lifeline participants.  Sprint’s filing revealed that its average Lifeline subscriber is a 47 year-old woman with a household income of less than ...
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Financial Planning and Review of Year End ReportsLifeline Subsidies a Significant Benefit According to Study

By Adam Shoemaker on Fri, 17 Aug 2012
In a study titled “Subsidized Cell Phones Provide Significant Economic Gains for Poor and Near-Poor Americans,” Nicholas P. Sullivan, a fellow at the Center for Emerging Market Enterprises at the Fletcher School (Tufts University), investigates the economic impact a Lifeline-subsidized wireless phone has in the lives of low-income subscribers.  The ...
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National Lifeline Accountability Database

Data storage cyber conceptDatabase Update: California Conditionally Permitted to Opt Out of National Lifeline Database

By Melissa Slawson on Mon, 04 Mar 2013
On March 4, 2013, the FCC Wireline Competition Bureau issued an Order conditionally granting certification of the California Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC") to opt out of the National Lifeline Accountability Database (“NLAD”).  The NLAD is intended to detect and eliminate duplicate Lifeline support provided to individuals and households and is expected to come online later ...
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Data storage cyber conceptDatabase Update: Texas Permitted to Opt Out of Lifeline Anti-Duplicates Database

By Jim Tomlinson on Thu, 28 Feb 2013
On Feb. 27, the Public Utility Commission of Texas ("PUCT") circulated notice to eligible telecommunications carriers in Texas that it has been granted permission by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") to opt out of participation in the National Lifeline Accountability Database ("NLAD").  The NLAD is intended to detect and eliminate duplicate Lifeline support ...
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Data storage cyber conceptDatabase Update: Vermont Permitted to Opt Out of Lifeline Anti-Duplicates Database

By Jim Tomlinson on Wed, 27 Feb 2013
On Feb. 15, 2013, the FCC Wireline Competition Bureau issued an Order granting the certification of the Vermont Department of Public Service to opt out of the National Lifeline Accountability Database (“NLAD”), which is intended to detect and eliminate duplicate Lifeline support provided to individuals and households.  The NLAD is ...
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Broadband Pilot

internetBroadband Pilot Launched for Lifeline Program

By Danielle Frappier on Wed, 19 Dec 2012
A recent FCC order announced that DWT client, Nexus Communications, Inc. d/b/a ReachOut Wireless, was selected as one of the fourteen participants in an FCC pilot project to expand the Lifeline program to funding broadband services. The Lifeline program currently subsidizes discounts on wireline and wireless voice telephony services. Like ...
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