Lifeline Order Strikes Balance between Needs, Burdens

The Julius Genachowski Federal Communications Commission continued its mission to go down in history as the Commission that modernized telecommunications regulation for a broadband world (or at least attempted to do so) with its latest sweeping revamp of the Universal Service Fund. The new rules adopted in the Lifeline Reform Report and Order and FNPRM might be a bit short of a “sweeping revamp,” but they do appear to thoroughly close loopholes and accomplish a considerable amount of administrative reform in the Lifeline program in order to move towards a more streamlined, effective and organized support system for low income Americans. The FCC attempts to create balance between meeting the communications needs of low-income consumers and minimizing the contributions burden on those who pay into the Fund. The FCC also attempts to minimize administrative burdens for ETCs who provide Lifeline discounts while also ensuring that only individuals who truly qualify are enrolled. While most of the rules largely constitute housekeeping, the proposed pilot programs for Lifeline-supported broadband may prove more interesting.