Comments on FCC Lifeline Broadband/Restructuring NPRM Due Aug. 17

Comments on the FCC NPRM to restructure Lifeline and cover broadband are due Aug. 17, replies Sept. 15, after the Federal Register published the item on Friday. The FCC set the deadlines for 30 days and 60 days after FR publication when it adopted the notice and related orders 3-2 June 18 (see 1506180029). The Democratic majority said the proposals and actions would reboot Lifeline support for the 21st century by helping low-income consumers gain broadband access and by undertaking further administrative restructuring to ensure program efficiency and integrity. The Republican minority said the FCC refusal to impose or even propose a Lifeline budgetary cap was fiscally irresponsible and invited further waste, fraud and abuse. The NPRM seeks comment on proposals, including to maintain the current $9.25/month subsidy for Lifeline recipients and adopt minimum service standards for voice and broadband service. It also asked whether Lifeline providers should be required to offer broadband, how to spur more competition to improve price and service, and how to encourage more state participation. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said the proposals would start to address the "homework gap" affecting low-income students who have no broadband access and sometimes go to fast food restaurants and other places with free Wi-Fi service to do assignments. The NPRM also proposed to overhaul the process of verifying consumer eligibility by lifting administrative responsibility from Lifeline service providers, and asked about possible alternatives, including establishing a third-party "national verifier," coordinating with other federal needs-based programs, and using vouchers to directly subsidize consumers.