FCC OIG Advises on Lifeline Usage Rule for Sprint, Other ETCs
The FCC's Office of Inspector General suspects widespread noncompliance regarding the Lifeline service's eligible telecom carriers usage rule, said an advisory Tuesday. Lifeline ETCs "shall only receive universal service support reimbursement for Lifeline service provided to subscribers who have used…
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the service within the last 30 days, or who have cured their non-usage in accordance with the commission's rules," it said. OIG said it's investigating large and small ETCs for significant potential violations. "Neither willful violations nor failed management practices are acceptable," it said. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced last year that Sprint "sought tens of millions of dollars in Lifeline subsidies for consumers who should have been de-enrolled from the program for non-usage," OIG said (see 1909240023). FCC posted comments on Lifeline program waste, fraud and abuse proposals through Tuesday in docket 17-287 (see 2001280005).