RLEC Representatives Discuss Lifeline Reform and Modernization

Over the last week, representatives of WTA-Advocates for Rural Broadband, NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association and JSI met with the Wireline Competition Bureau and staff of Commissioner Rosenworcel and Pai to discuss the Commission’s ongoing efforts to reform and modernize the Lifeline program.  Regarding the Snapshot Rule adopted in June, the RLEC representatives urged the Commission to adopt their proposal to allow small rural providers to use the number of Lifeline subscribers taken during a snapshot on their carrier-specific billing dates in order to reduce the likelihood that RLECs will not be properly reimbursed for providing Lifeline discounts or the need to undergo costly system updates to enable a “first of the month” snapshot. The RLEC representatives also reiterated their support for leveraging coordinated enrollment and state-level eligibility databases where they exist, while providing flexibility for RLECs to work with consumers and a national third party verifier to enroll consumers in Lifeline.