PK Raises Verizon/Tracfone Concerns in Call With Simington

Public Knowledge officials told FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington they oppose Verizon buying Tracfone from America Movil (see 2009140052). The deal “could impede successful implementation of the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) due to the scope of Lifeline subscribers that enroll through" Tracfone, said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 20-445. It's the largest Lifeline provider with more than 1.7 million such customers, PK said.