Lifeline Group Seeks to Undo USAC API Reversal; TracFone Tells Pai of Efforts Against Abuse
The Lifeline Connects Coalition (LCC) asked for reconsideration of an "alarming decision" by the Universal Service Administrative Co. "to reverse course and not provide a service provider application programming interface (API)" to an FCC-mandated national eligibility verifier for the low-income…
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USF support program. The commission and USAC planned the API "so that applicants can seamlessly enroll in Lifeline and access the National Verifier for an eligibility determination," said an LCC filing posted Tuesday in FCC docket 11-42 on a meeting with Wireline Bureau staffers. Providing a service provider API is required by a 2016 Lifeline overhaul order, and "was decided early in the process and included in the Final National Verifier Plan, will reduce opportunities for waste, fraud and abuse and will make the National Verifier more efficient and cost-effective," the group said. The LCC also addressed "subscriber proof of eligibility" migration timing issues, its reconsideration petition on upcoming minimum service standards increases, and a recent GAO call to make Lifeline enforcement and processing improvements (see 1708150023). TracFone Wireless met with Chairman Ajit Pai to discuss Lifeline matters, including its advocacy of commission-adopted "reforms to prevent waste, fraud and abuse." The provider cited its recommendations for further actions, including to prohibit in-person handset distribution and incentive-based compensation for third-party agents. It also discussed implementation of the national verifier, concerns about minimum broadband standards and its various businesses, said a filing Monday. An attached presentation said the company has 25 million U.S. customers and is the largest U.S. prepaid no-contract provider.