Lifeline Connects Coalition

The Lifeline Connects Coalition met with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai’s Wireline Legal Advisor, Dr Jay Schwarz, on May 11, 2017, to discuss the draft Open Internet NPRM and the Commission’s commitment to support broadband services through the Lifeline program. It also discussed the upcoming increase in the Lifeline minimum service standards and current barriers to entry and industry consolidation in the Lifeline program.

The Lifeline Connects Coalition filed a Petition on October 25, 2016 seeking a waiver of certain new Lifeline rules. The coalition asked the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau to waive changes which replace a current 60-day non-usage period with 30 days because the new 30-day non-usage rules will harm and endanger consumers. The coalition also asked the Bureau to direct the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to rescind its guidance that would implement the 30-day non-usage rule prior to the December 2, 2016 effective date, arguing it is unlawful and impractical for eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) to administer.

The Lifeline Connects Coalition met with legal advisors to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler and fellow-FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel and FCC Wireline Competition Bureau staff on June 28, 2016, to discuss its Petition for Reconsideration of the Lifeline Reform Order.

The coalition seeks reconsideration of: the mobile broadband minimum service standards after December 1, 2017; issues related to the National Verifier; and the decision not to provide streamlined ETC application processing for voice-only Lifeline services. The coalition also seeks clarification of the rolling recertification rule. The coalition also discussed potential for confusion regarding the use of FCC and Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)-established dispute resolution processes for Third Party Identity Verification, applicant addresses, and the Independent Economic Household worksheet and process established to implement the FCC’s one-per-household rule.