USTelecom (ex-USTA) urged the FCC not to grant a TracFone Wireles...
USTelecom (ex-USTA) urged the FCC not to grant a TracFone Wireless petition that would let the prepaid wireless reseller get universal service support under the Lifeline program for lower-income consumers. TracFone seeks forbearance from Telecom Act language limiting universal…
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service support to facilities-based carriers. USTelecom told the FCC in an Aug. 30 ex parte letter that the FCC shouldn’t grant the petition, or at least should open a rulemaking that would impact more than one carrier. However, if the FCC acts, it definitely should place conditions on the forbearance grant, USTelecom said. Among conditions urged by USTelecom: (1) TracFone must verify customers’ Lifeline eligibility “at TracFone corporate offices” rather than at retailers where TracFone cards are sold, and must obtain “verbal confirmation from the customer that his or her household is only receiving support for one line.” (2) The forbearance grant should let TracFone receive only Lifeline funding, not high-cost support. (3) TracFone must certify it’s offering E-911 service and all its handsets are E-911 capable. TracFone, in separate proceedings, also is seeking Eligible Telcom Carrier (ETC) status to get universal service funding in several states, but those requests are on hold until the FCC acts on this petition. The deadline for FCC action is Sept. 6.