FCC Reminds Carriers that they Must Recertify Eligibility of All Lifeline Subscribers by December 31, 2012

In the Lifeline Reform Order, the Federal Communications Commission required Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) and, where applicable, state Lifeline administrators, another state agency or an agent of the state (collectively, “state agency”) to re-certify the eligibility of the base of their subscribers as of June 1, 2012.

Each subscriber must be re-certified by December 31, 2012, and the ETC must report the results to the Commission, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), and to states and Tribal governments (where appropriate), by January 31, 2013. In this public notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) reminds parties of their obligations and provides guidance to ETCs and state agencies regarding the Lifeline re-certification requirements in 2012 and the annual re-certification reporting process in subsequent years.