Rosenworcel Plugs Lifeline on Homework Gap; RLECs Cite Minimum Standards Concern
The FCC is poised to modernize the Lifeline program for the broadband era later this month, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said last week at a CUE16 meeting in Palm Springs, California, according to a written remarks posted on the agency's…
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website Monday. "When we do, we need to make sure that the program is updated to support broadband -- and allow participants to choose between applying support to either voice or broadband service," she said. "This simple change would both update the program and help bring more broadband to low-income households with school-aged children. But if we care about narrowing the Homework Gap, we can’t stop there. Our Lifeline modernization must make sure that the devices used for Lifeline services are able to access Wi-Fi signals and that those devices can even be turned into Wi-Fi hotspots. Moreover, as we update Lifeline, we should make sure that we are doing everything that we can to make eligible families with school-aged children aware of the program." Rosenworcel also backed taking steps in other proceedings to create more Wi-Fi capacity. Meanwhile, parties continued to lobby the FCC in the Lifeline proceeding in docket 11-42. "Minimum standards should not inadvertently force low-income consumers to choose between a broadband service that is unaffordable despite the program discount or no broadband at all," said a filing posted Monday by NTCA and WTA on their meeting with FCC staffers, including aides to Chairman Tom Wheeler. "Such an issue could arise to the extent that low-income consumers are precluded from choosing to purchase a broadband speed offered by their provider that is more in line with their personal budget. As merely one example, a 10/1 Mbps speed standard -- should one be adopted -- should not preclude a Lifeline subscriber from making the affirmative choice to purchase a 4/1 Mbps broadband service that costs less and is more affordable for that individual low-income consumer," the rural telco groups said. In a letter, Consumer Action said it has concerns about completely phasing out Lifeline support for standalone wireless voice service, preferring to create tiered subsidies with lower amounts for standalone voice and higher amounts for bundled voice/broadband.