AT&T, Consumer Groups, Cable, CTIA Press FCC on Lifeline Proposals, Concerns
AT&T urged the FCC to update Lifeline USF to give eligible users more autonomy and to remove service providers from program administration obligations, including verifying the low-income status of users and delivering benefits to consumers. In a filing on a…
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meeting with aides to two FCC commissioners posted Friday in docket 11-42, AT&T said, "We discussed ideas for reform that would benefit Lifeline recipients and strengthen the program such as establishing a third party verifier and replacing the current ETC designation process with a voluntary registered Lifeline service provider certification process." AT&T also addressed the commission’s legal authority to provide USF support to providers that aren't eligible telecom carriers (ETCs). In a separate meeting with FCC officials, Public Knowledge and other consumer groups asked the agency to modernize Lifeline to cover broadband service and allow providers to participate in the program without being ETCs. They said the commission has legal authority to authorize non-ETCs to offer Lifeline service and suggested a centralized, streamlined process to certify broadband providers in the program, including cable companies and community anchor institutions, a filing said. Without non-ETCs, there's a "very real concern that millions of Americans" needing Lifeline service, particularly in urban areas, will be left out, they said. Fixed and mobile voice providers should also continue to receive support, they said. Also at the Public Knowledge meeting were officials for the Benton Foundation, National Consumer Law Center, the Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition and United Church of Christ. Comcast and NCTA also met with FCC officials to support expanding Lifeline to broadband and simplifying the process for certifying providers, said filings last week (here and here). As the FCC considers covering broadband, CTIA said in a filing on an FCC meeting, "mobile wireless must continue to be an integral part of the Lifeline program and eligible low-income consumers should have choice and control over the mobile wireless service that meets their needs." The FCC plans to act on Lifeline modernization this quarter, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn said last week (see 1601210031).