Cincinnati Bell pans minimum broadband speed requirements for Lifeline eligibility

Cincinnati Bell (CBT) may be a broadband advocate for lower income families, but it says that the Federal Communications Commission should not impose a minimum speed level on the Lifeline support program. In particular, the service provider said if the regulator applies the 10/1 Mbps speed it set for the second phase of the Connect America Fund (CAF-II) program, it could create negative effects for low-income families.

"While the FCC did not propose a specific minimum speed, by referencing the 10/1 Mbps level of service requirement established in the Connect America Fund proceeding, CBT is concerned that the FCC may be considering imposing a minimum speed requirement such as 10/1 Mbps before customers may use Lifeline support for broadband service," said Cincinnati Bell in an FCC filing. "CBT believes it would be a mistake to do so."