California PUC Seeks FCC Lifeline Port-Freeze Extension; Telrite, ATA, Hawaii Filings Made
The California Public Utilities Commission sought more time to comply with FCC elimination of a federal Lifeline low-income USF port freeze for voice and broadband services (see 1711160021). With the new rule to take effect March 19, the CPUC asked…
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for an implementation extension until July 15 so it can determine what, if any, changes are needed to the state's LifeLine program, said a waiver petition posted Wednesday in docket 11-42. Also this week, a Telrite emergency petition sought a waiver extension of recertification and other rules for Lifeline subscribers in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands until the Wireline Bureau determines it would be in the public interest to lift the waivers. The Alaska Telephone Association said FCC grant of relief to Lifeline providers in the state from several minimum service duties would give eligible low-income Alaskans living in remote areas "a choice between mobile wireless or fixed service at affordable rates." ATA's reply comments noted NTCA and WTA supported its petition and there was no opposition (see 1712060038). Hawaii's Department of Hawaiian Home Lands commended FCC efforts to address various policy initiatives raised in a recent NPRM, some of which faced much resistance in recent comments (see 1802210045 and 1802220061).