The Latest FCC Lifeline Proposals Are Part of Chairman Pai's Relentless War on the Poor

Free Press condemned the Federal Communications Commission for waging war on the poor as the agency moved forward with a proceeding to deny essential broadband and telephone subsidies to low-income people. In comments filed as part of several FCC rulemaking proceedings on the Lifeline program, which offers modest subsidies to poor households seeking more affordable access to communications, Free Press questioned the sincerity of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s alleged desire to connect low-income communities. “The [rulemaking] is merely a feint,” wrote Free Press. “While claiming to improve program integrity, it would instead significantly constrain the Lifeline program by placing arbitrary burdens on low-income people.”

Free Press is especially concerned with two proposals. One would retool the program to preference those who would only adopt broadband with Lifeline support by asking fully eligible people invasive questions to further justify their need. The other proposal would require carriers to charge a fee on handsets received at the time of enrollment, even if the mobile providers would typically provide those devices free of charge to customers.