CPUC to Weigh LifeLine, ICS Resolutions

The California Public Utilities Commission shared proposed resolutions on California LifeLine and inmate calling services for its Thursday meeting. Commissioners plan to vote on a resolution to comply with a May 5 order (in Pacer) by U.S. District Court for Northern California (case 3:20-cv-08312-MMC) that granted the National Lifeline Association’s request to stop the agency from implementing a zero dollar co-pay for basic and standard LifeLine plans. The proposed resolution would rescind that: “Wireless providers may file a Tier 2 advice letter if they wish to charge a co-pay for these plans, subject to review for affordability and compliance with program rules.” The CPUC would comment at the FCC supporting the federal agency lowering “the extremely high cost of communications for inmates and their loved ones.” The FCC sought comment on permanent rate caps in a May 24 (see 2105240055). The CPUC is weighing lowering intrastate ICS rates (see 2105030059). Also Friday, the commission sought comment by July 2, replies July 19 in its broadband-for-all rulemaking (docket R.20-09-001) on three digital redlining studies by the Greenlining Institute; University of Southern California; and Communications Workers of America and National Digital Inclusion Alliance.