FCC OKs Comcast's Lift Zone Pilot Project

In this Order on Reconsideration, the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau reconsiders one aspect of its decision to extend the waiver of certain E-Rate rules until June 30, 2022, and to partially grant Comcast’s request for a waiver of this rule to expand its Lift Zone initiative at seven proposed library systems. The bureau clarifies that Comcast may continue to provide broadband and other services to the seven library systems identified in its petition for the three-year term of its Lift Zone library pilot without running afoul of the E-Rate program gift rule. Comcast sought clarification of the Third Gift Rule Waiver Order, explaining that, “in order to avoid disruption and dislocation to consumers benefitting from their access to such broadband services, which would disserve the public interest, Comcast therefore seeks clarification that the Lift Zone locations or other connected community centers that are established by June 30, 2022 may continue to receive complimentary services after that date.” Comcast further explained that a three-year waiver would give “all parties certainty that members of the public will be able to benefit from the Lift Zone location for a meaningful period of time,” and would provide “sufficient time for both the Lift Zone partners and Comcast to experiment with digital content and other enrichment opportunities to determine how the Lift Zone initiative can provide the greatest benefit.” The bureau finds that a three-year waiver for the seven library systems selected for its Lift Zone library pilot, with the safeguards Comcast has agreed to implement, is in the public interest. The Lift Zone locations within these seven library systems will help promote digital inclusion and literacy, and help close the Homework Gap, while also minimizing the impact on each entity’s participation in the E-Rate program and competitive bidding processes. The bureau further clarifies that following the expiration of this limited three-year period, all E-Rate rules including the prohibitions on gifts, free services, and rebates shall apply.