Category Archives: State

On March 12, 2015, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) adopted revisions to its rules relating to administration of federal and state universal service programs, including Lifeline.  While the revisions generally consist of an overdue overhaul of many outdated telecom service regulations, the OCC adopted a number of substantive rule changes affecting Lifeline ETCs, including:  (1) removing regulatory distinctions between… Continue Reading

On August 5, the Georgia PSC adopted an order rescinding its rule that would have required Lifeline ETCs to either bill and collect a $5 minimum monthly Lifeline rate or offer a Lifeline plan that includes 500 monthly minutes.   The rule was adopted last October but never actually took effect, because it was immediately challenged… Continue Reading

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has released an order, effective May 5, 2014, ordering the implementation of a web-based state Lifeline eligibility database.  The development and ongoing maintenance costs for the database will be paid by New Jersey ETCs through a new licensing fee, the amount of which will be based on… Continue Reading

Today, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia issued a Preliminary Injunction halting implementation of a new Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) rule (Utility Rule 515-12-1-.35(3)(f)) that would have required Lifeline Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) in the state to bill and collect a minimum monthly rate of $5 or to provide a… Continue Reading

Today (October 15), in a sharply divided 3-2 vote, the Georgia Public Service Commission (“PSC”) adopted 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.  The rule is slated to become effective on January 31, 2014.  In its entirety,… Continue Reading

 Although the Oklahoma Corporation Commission amended its Lifeline rules on March 14, 2013, they did not become effective until yesterday, July 11.  The new rules implement a number of changes, many of which are focused on marketing Lifeline services from tents and vehicles, as well as imposing a minimum number of minutes (1,000 on Tribal… Continue Reading

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 Lifeline or Link-Up programs or… Continue Reading

On May 16, 2013 the Georgia PSC released the eighth in a series of Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPRs) since March 2012, to add a new obligation that every Lifeline subscriber “provide documented proof of eligibility as part of its annual FCC mandated recertification.”  FCC rules, by contrast, only require proof of income level or… Continue Reading

On February 19, 2013, the Georgia PSC initiated a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) to propose changes to the $5 minimum monthly Lifeline rate requirement it adopted on January 16 but which still has not taken effect.  As reported then, the $5 minimum rate rule was adopted in a sharply divided 3-2 vote and… Continue Reading

On January 16, 2013, in an acrimonious 3-2 vote, the Georgia PSC adopted revisions to its rule governing Lifeline service in the state (Rule 515-12-1-.35) to, among other things, institute a minimum monthly rate for lifeline service of $5 and to require Lifeline providers to review and retain a copy of a photo ID of… Continue Reading