FCC Bureau Gives Lifeline Providers Guidance on Rolling Recertification of Users
The FCC gave guidance to Lifeline providers on implementing rolling recertification of users under an agency overhaul order approved in March (see 1603310056). "The Commission adopted rules to change the subscriber eligibility recertification process from once each calendar year to…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
a rolling process based on each subscriber’s service initiation date," said a Wireline Bureau public notice in docket 11-42 listed in Friday's Daily Digest. The rolling recertification requirement is intended to improve administrative efficiency and reduce burdens on carriers, the Universal Service Administrative Co. (USAC), and a national Lifeline verifier to be set up, said the PN, but there had been various requests for clarification. The bureau said the "rolling recertification process for each subscriber must be completed, not merely begun, by 12 months following the subscriber’s service initiation date, and every 12 months thereafter," and the process wouldn't be considered complete until a carrier has de-enrolled all affected subscribers. "The Bureau also clarifies the time period in which carriers generally should attempt rolling recertification efforts," the PN said. "Consistent with the USAC administrative process, we strongly encourage carriers to begin recertification within 150 days prior to the subscriber’s anniversary date." Among other clarifications, the bureau said "the service initiation date is the date on which the subscriber began to receive Lifeline-supported service from the current ETC" (eligible telecom carrier).