Regulatory | National Lifeline Association

Free Press Opposes FCC Lifeline Rulings, “A Direct Attack” on Low-Income Americans

Free Press opposes FCC Lifeline Rulings that will affect the Lifeline Program, a program that connects low-income Americans to crucial communications services. The proposed changes were released October 26th in a draft by Chairman Pai and the current FCC administration to be a part of the November 16 Open Meeting agenda and would greatly eliminate the access to service for many low-income families in the United States.

Free Press Opposes FCC Lifeline Rulings that Limit Lifeline Funds to Facilities-Based Providers

Free Press has addressed their opposition to the rulings, including their major concern with the proposal to limit funds to “facilities-based” providers, which will eliminate Lifeline resellers (also known as ETCs) from providing Lifeline service.

Free Press Policy Director, Matthew Wood, urges the FCC to reconsider, asserting that “..eliminating resale carriers [Lifeline resellers] from Lifeline would eliminate participation by providers currently serving no less than two-thirds or even three quarters of the current Lifeline subscriber base. Chairman Pai’s war on carriers that actually make robust use of the fund is of course a direct attack on the intended beneficiaries of the program: low-income individuals and families, all too often from traditionally under-served groups such as people of color, immigrants, veterans, and the elderly.”

About Free Press

Free Press is an independent organization that believes that change happens when people have a real voice in the political process; they seek to mobilize their growing base of 900,000 activists to sign petitions, meet with their elected officials, attend rallies and town-hall meetings, write letters to the editor, and take part in other targeted actions. Additionally, the organization crafts policy proposals, conducts research, testifies before Congress and fights in court for policies that serve the public interest.

Support Lifeline Program or Read More on FCC Changes

NaLA appreciates contributions from Lifeline Advocates; donate now to assure the continuation of the Lifeline Program or read more on the FCC’s proposed changes.

11/11/2017 Lee Schafer FCC, Lifeline Advocacy, Lifeline News, Member News No comments

Lifeline Advocates Urge FCC to Reconsider Proposed Program Changes

On October 26th, the FCC published the upcoming November 16 public meeting agenda, which calls for some significant changes to the Lifeline Program, which provides affordable communication services to low-income Americans. Advocates of the Lifeline Program are now voicing their concerns about some of the proposed rules, which will mainly aim to:

Direct Lifeline Funds & Enhanced Lifeline Support to Facilities-based Providers
Adopt a Self-enforcing Budget Cap
End States’ Role in Designating ETCs
Redefine Tribal Lands as Rural
Eliminate LBP Designations

Responses to FCC Proposals for Lifeline Program

Advocates of both the Lifeline Program and the FCC’s commitment to “bridge the digital divide” have expressed concern over many of the potential changes, and are seeking FCC reconsideration.

CTIA, an organization that represents the U.S. wireless communications industry (and the companies throughout the mobile ecosystem) that enable Americans to lead a 21st century connected life, voiced some of their concerns in a letter to Chairman Pai, yesterday:

“While CTIA remains committed to working with the Commission to strengthen the Lifeline program’s administration, some of the changes proposed in the draft Lifeline item would negatively impact millions of low-income consumers who rely on wireless supported Lifeline services. As the Commission moves forward an agenda designed to close the digital divide, CTIA urges the Commission to recognize that Lifeline, especially wireless Lifeline, remains a critical tool that enables low-income consumers to access 21st Century occupational, educational, health and public safety communications.”

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.nalalifeline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/CTIA-Lifeline-FCC-NPRM-NOI-Response-Letter-11082017.pdf”]

Additionally, NaLA has activated a task force of highly qualified industry experts and advocates, who are working hard to ensure the continuity of the Lifeline Program. This task force is charged with handling the outreach, communication, collaboration, and education required to inform lawmakers and constituents aware of the proposed changes and what they can do to support the program and protect the Lifeline Program participants.

NaLA Member and Lifeline Advocate Support

Our members and supporters have already begun efforts to protect the low-income Americans who participate in the Lifeline Program. Access to telecommunications services provided by this program connect low-income Americans with emergency services, employment, education, childcare, and healthcare.

NaLA appreciates its members contributions to this cause; donate now to assure the continuation of the Lifeline Program or read more on the FCC’s proposed changes.

About CTIA

CTIA vigorously advocates at all levels of government for policies that foster continued wireless innovation and investment. CTIA also coordinates the industry’s voluntary efforts to provide consumers with a variety of choices and information regarding their wireless products and services. CTIA also hosts educational events that promote the wireless industry and coordinates the industry’s efforts to provide consumers with a variety of choices and information regarding their wireless products and services as well as the industry’s voluntary best practices.

11/08/2017 Lee Schafer FCC, Lifeline Advocacy, Lifeline News, Member News No comments

FCC Seeks to Impose Cap on Lifeline Program

October 26, 2017 — Washington D.C. Recent FCC proposals seek to impose caps on Lifeline Program funds.

Universal Service Funds & FCC Proposal for Cap on Lifeline Program

The rulings would seek to impose a $2 Billion cap on the Lifeline Program, whose funds are administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company and account for around 18% of the Universal Service Funds (USF), according to USAC’s 2016 Annual report. The USF also provides funding to additional programs, such as High Cost, Rural Health Care, and Schools and Libraries programs.

“The idea of a USF Lifeline cap has been a contentious one at the FCC. Democratic commissioners traditionally have opposed a cap, perhaps because a cap in the low $2 billion-range would cover only half of eligible recipients, according to government estimates,” writes Joan Engebretson, Executive Editor of Telecompetitor.

Limit Universal Service Funds for Lifeline Program to Facilities-based Providers

In addition to capping the funds to the program, these rulings seek to limit funds to facilities-based providers. Currently, most Lifeline Program participants receive service through re-sellers. This proposal will have the most impact on the continuation of Lifeline Program and its ability to effectively provide support to the low-income families to whom it provides service.

“By requiring participating carriers to be facilities-based, the proposed Lifeline item would reinstate by rule a statutory requirement from which it has granted forbearance definitively. More importantly, the FCC’s proposed decision would force about 70% of the approximately 10 million Lifeline subscribers to find a new service provider,” states John Heitmann, of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP.

“Many of these 7 million Lifeline eligible subscribers will find that they have few, if any choices – forcing them to pay more for less, purchase a new phone, or lose service. Nearly all affected Lifeline subscribers would be forced to find alternative service offerings for the no-cost to consumer services they typically have access to today. No wireline service provider offers no-cost to consumer Lifeline services. With no competition from wireless resellers, Lifeline service offerings are likely to stagnate, become more costly and lack in innovation. Wireless – and wireless ETCs – lose under the FCC’s proposal. But the biggest losers will be Lifeline-eligible, low-income consumers across rural America and especially those in urban America. The FCC’s proposal for Lifeline is so skewed and disruptive that it is almost certain to threaten the very fabric of bipartisan support that has underpinned the Universal Service Fund for decades.”

10/28/2017 Lee Schafer Member News No comments