CPUC Extends LifeLine Renewals, Streamlines ETC Designation for RDOF

The California Public Utilities Commission suspended the state LifeLine renewal process for 90 days in a unanimous vote on the consent agenda at the agency’s livestreamed virtual meeting Thursday. The proposed decision authorized staff to extend renewals “for so long as the renewal processes of other state public assistance programs remain suspended due to the COVID-19 emergency,” temporarily suspend the non-usage rule as long as the FCC does the same for the federal program, and reimburse providers for federal subsidies they can’t collect if the state renewals suspension goes beyond federal suspension. During the pandemic, LifeLine “has been very important for people to be able to communicate,” said Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma. Also by unanimous consent, the CPUC adopted a resolution to streamline the eligible telecom carrier designation process for the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund recipients. It applies only to bidders with existing operating authority in California. The CPUC postponed until the June 11 meeting a vote on allowing staff to file comments due July 6 on an FCC NPRM about eliminating price regulation and tariffing of phone access charges (see 2005200006).