FCC Gives Guidance to Lifeline ETCs Opting for USAC Recertification; TracFone Urges API Use
FCC staff provided guidance to Lifeline eligible telecom carriers choosing to have Universal Service Administrative Co. recertify their low-income subscribers in 2019. All ETCs wishing to have USAC carry out the annual recertification must give notice to USAC between July…
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16 and Aug. 31, including those that previously elected USAC, said a Wireline Bureau public notice Tuesday in docket 11-42. ETCs not making a USAC election by Aug. 31 "will be responsible for conducting recertification of their subscribers, except for those subscribers where the National Verifier, a state Lifeline administrator, or another state agency is responsible for the annual recertification of Lifeline eligibility," said the PN. "For the 2019 recertification process, ETCs will perform their elections via an online form. USAC will post information on this process on its website, and ETCs are encouraged to subscribe to the Lifeline Program Newsletter for updates on the program and for further instruction on the election process." TracFone Wireless said it has "significant concerns regarding certain aspects" of the national verifier plan. "A primary concern is the unexplained and inexplicable refusal to include an Automated Programming Interface (API) for Lifeline service providers to use to make eligibility determinations using the National Verifier," said a filing. It said an API allows Lifeline providers to screen potential applications to a National Lifeline Accountability Database, reducing administrative burdens.