NTCA, COMPTEL want FCC to improve Lifeline verification process

COMPTEL and NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association said in separate Federal Communications Commission filings that the regulator should work to alleviate service providers from the burden of having to verify Lifeline service recipients. One of the issues COMPTEL raises on the Lifeline program is foregoing an electronic signature requirement for recipients. The organization agrees with the joint commenters that consumers understand the legal validity of consenting in an electronic format by clicking an "I ACCEPT" button. Joint commenters said by requiring additional safeguards would be "unnecessary, burdensome and ultimately harmful to Lifeline subscribers because such a change would fail to treat them like non-low-income consumers interacting with the digital economy."

Taking it a step further, NTCA says the FCC should not require service providers -- particularly smaller rural telecommunications companies that have limited staff -- to have to oversee the Lifeline eligibility approval process.