Groups Mass Against Lifeline Changes

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The Federal Communications Commission is getting major pushback on its vote to revamp the Lifeline communications subsidy program. Over 200 organizations, including the ACLU, American Library Association, the Benton Foundation and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, have written FCC Chairman Ajit Pai urging him to reject his own proposal. Initial comments were due Feb. 21, with reply comments due in March.

They argue the proposed changes, which could include capping the fund and targeting it to facilities-based providers, would debilitate a program meant to assist low-income residents, including minorities, seniors, veterans and the disabled. "We strongly oppose the proposed changes, which would exacerbate the digital divide and devastate families enrolled in Lifeline," they told the FCC. 


Groups Mass Against Lifeline Changes Advocates Fear The FCC Will 'Destabilize' Lifeline, Its Phone Subsidy Program For Poor Americans (Forbes)