Wireless ETCs Prod FCC on Lifeline Broadband/Voice Proposals, Oppose Other Calls
Lifeline wireless providers plugged their petition for FCC reconsideration and clarification of its order overhauling the USF low-income subsidy program. The commission March 31 approved extending Lifeline funding to broadband service while phasing out stand-alone voice support, shifting the duty…
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to oversee consumer eligibility from carriers to a national verifier, and creating a process for designating national Lifeline broadband providers supplementing the current state-by-state eligible telecom carrier (ETC) process (see 1603310056). The Joint Lifeline ETC Petitioners said they looked forward to offering broadband Lifeline service and working with regulators on ways to improve the enrollment process both before and after a national verifier is implemented, in a filing posted Thursday in docket 11-42 by American Broadband & Telecommunications, Blue Jay Wireless, i-wireless, Telrite, Assist Wireless, Easy Wireless, Prepaid Wireless Group and TruConnect. They said the Joint ETCs also are asking the commission to: "modify a minimum service standard formula and adopt a more graduated phase-in" of broadband requirements; complete a Lifeline market report before ending support for stand-alone voice service, given the "continuing value of voice service"; ensure the national verifier can engage in real-time eligibility determinations; and extend streamlined 60-day consideration to all ETC petitions. It opposed some calls of other petitioners, including to ban in-person handset distribution and incentive-based compensation, and to lift a "12-month benefit port freeze for broadband plans."