Rural Associations Seek Reconsideration of Certain Changes to the Lifeline Program

Today, WTA and NTCA filed a joint petition for reconsideration and/or clarification of certain aspects of the reforms adopted in the FCC’s Report and Order expanding the Lifeline program to include support for broadband service. The Rural Associations seek reconsideration of the minimum service standards for broadband adopted in the program to ensure that all rural consumers are eligible for Lifeline support regardless of the current state of broadband deployment where they live; the phase-out and elimination of support for voice services; data usage allowance requirements for providers lacking terrestrial backhaul; the requirement to conduct recertification of Lifeline customers on a rolling basis individualized to each subscriber rather than once annually; the “12-month port freeze” that locks Lifeline customers into year-long contracts; and clarification on the availability to RLECs of forbearance in light of reforms to the High Cost program.