Topic
Lifeline Program
38 published works
Rural Spectrum Scanner
TracFone, FCC, DOJ Reach $13.4M Settlement for Lifeline Violations
TracFone has reached a $13.4 million settlement with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to settle allegations that it had signed up over 175,000 ineligible…
Rural Spectrum Scanner
FCC Grants Lifeline Waiver Extension Through June 30, 2022
The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has waived certain Lifeline program rules governing documentation requirements for subscribers residing in Tribal rural areas, recertification, recertification, general de-enrollment, and income documentation through June…
Rural Spectrum Scanner
FCC Extends Waivers for Certain Lifeline Program Rules
Due to the new variant of the coronavirus and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has extended prior waivers of certain Lifeline program rules through March 31,…
Rural Spectrum Scanner
FCC Adopts Consent Decree Concerning Lifeline Investigation into NewPhone
The FCC has adopted a Consent Decree entered into with NewPhone to resolve an investigation concerning whether NewPhone violated the Commission’s Lifeline rules by requesting and receiving Lifeline support for…
Rural Spectrum Scanner
WCB Pauses Phase-Out of Voice-Only Lifeline Support and Increases in Minimum Service Standards for Mobile Data Capacity
The Wireline Competition Bureau has announced in an Order that it will pause both the scheduled phase-out in Lifeline support for voice-only services and the annual increase in minimum service…
Rural Spectrum Scanner
FCC Releases Updated Lifeline Minimum Service Standards and New Budget Amount
The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has announced updated minimum service standards for Lifeline-supported services. The Lifeline minimum service standard for mobile broadband data capacity will increase to 18 GB per…
CommLaw Monitor
COVID-19: What Communications Service Providers Need to Know – May 4, 2020
By Communications Practice Group
As the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly unfolds, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has been active to keep communications services available through various waivers, extensions, and other regulatory relief. Kelley Drye’s Communications Practice…
CommLaw Monitor
USF Update: Where Are We Now?
By Kelley Drye
In 2017, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report focusing on the Lifeline program. Tucked away in that report was a significant discussion of Universal Service Fund (USF) contributor…
CommLawBlog
Update: Effective Dates, Reconsideration/Appeal Deadlines Set in Lifeline Overhaul
By FHH Law
Just last week we reported on the FCC’s overhaul of the Lifeline program. The Commission’s sweeping decision has now been published in the Federal Register. As frequent visitors here know,…
CommLawBlog
FCC Overhauls Lifeline Program
By Donald Evans
Faster, simpler, cheaper process, but no greater support The federal Lifeline program – a program overseen by the FCC and originally designed to provide subsidized phone service to low-income households…