FCC Letter to PUCs encourages enforcement of USF waste, fraud and abuse policies

The Federal Communications Commission sent letters to state Public Utility Commissioners in its continuing get-tough policy on waste, fraud and abuse in its Lifeline program, which is the portion of the Universal Service Fund subsidy that goes to providing phone service -- wireless or wired -- to low-income households. The FCC pointed out last week in an enforcement advisory (state utility commissioners ) that it had gotten word that some providers were not confirming eligibility for the program or ensuring they were not providing duplicative service. It is investigating those claims itself, but the chairman also wants states to take a more active role in policing the program.