WB Waives More EBB Rules Before ACP

The FCC Wireline Bureau waived more emergency broadband benefit program rules as the commission transitions to the affordable connectivity program, in an order Wednesday in docket 21-450 (see 2111260015). The bureau waived the requirement that ISP offerings and standard rates be offered "in the same manner and terms" as offerings available Dec. 1, 2020, until final ACP rules are enacted, and the requirement that providers submit to Universal Service Administrative Co. that they were a broadband provider then, in each state where it planned to participate. The bureau released additional guidelines for the EBB-to-ACP move, including that the national Lifeline accountability database will close at 6 p.m. EST Dec. 30 "for administrative purposes" ahead of ACP's Dec. 31 launch.