NaLA Petitions for MSS Freeze, No Rate Drop for Lifeline

The National Lifeline Association (NaLA) petitioned the FCC for a waiver to keep the minimum service standard for Lifeline mobile broadband at 3 GB (see 2008240024), said the petition posted in docket 11-42 Thursday. Under the current rules the standard will automatically increase to 11.75 GB in December, and a proposal on circulation at the FCC would change the way the MSS is calculated and set it at 4.5 GB. The NaLA petition also wants the agency to keep Lifeline voice support at $7.25 instead of decreasing it to $5.25 as planned. “While the record contains no evidence to demonstrate that any increase above 3 GB would be affordable, there is ample evidence in the record that any increase above 3 GB would mandate service offerings that are not affordable and would result in less access to Lifeline,” NaLA said. The reasons that led to the FCC issuing a similar waiver in 2019 are still in effect, said the petition. In 2019, the agency “improperly” dismissed record evidence about Lifeline rates and shouldn’t do so again, NaLa said. “All Lifeline stakeholders, including the service providers, public interest, civil rights and consumer advocates and policymakers of both parties are in agreement that the Commission should pause the mobile broadband MSS at 3 GB.” The agency should grant the waiver pending the results of the planned 2021 State of the Lifeline Marketplace Report, NaLA said. “We agree with the Chairman that the cycle of annual mobile broadband MSS crises must come to an end.”