USAC Releases Updated Lifeline National Verifier Plan Noting Launch Delay, Tribal Changes
Universal Service Administrative Co. issued its updated Lifeline national verifier plan for the FCC low-income broadband and voice subsidy program. A 2016 commission order authorized creation of a Lifeline national entity to standardize verification of consumer Lifeline eligibility, and required…
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!
USAC to report on implementation progress every six months. The plan noted the FCC delayed the national verifier's (NV) Dec. 5, 2017, soft launch and March 13, 2018, hard launch target dates in six initial states to address issues about Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) compliance (see 1712010042). "Functional development of the service provider portal is complete and the FISMA security validation is the final step before the soft launch can occur," said the plan posted Thursday in docket 11-42. "At soft launch, service providers in the six states will be able, but not required, to use the NV system. At hard launch, service providers in the six states will be required to use the NV. Consumers in the six states will also be able to use the system at this time." The six states are Colorado, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The plan also noted USAC and the FCC are implementing tribal Lifeline USF changes adopted in December that affect NV systems.