CPUC May Reject Cable, Wireless Concerns With Affordability Draft

The cable industry is incorrect that applying affordability metrics in California Advanced Services Fund is inconsistent with CASF statutory directions, said the California Public Utilities Commission in a revised draft order Thursday in docket R.18-07-006. Responding to concerns raised by the California Cable and Telecommunications Association, the new draft said “consideration of affordability impacts is consistent with the stated goal of Pub. Util. Code Section 281 ‘to encourage deployment of high-quality advanced communications services to all Californians that will promote economic growth, job creation and the substantial social benefits of advanced information and communications technologies…’” The CPUC previously rejected CTIA’s argument that affordability metrics apply only to rate-regulated communications services, the draft said. Communications companies have resisted California affordability metrics (see 2207110030). The CPUC plans to vote on the proposed decision Aug. 4 after delaying the item that had first been scheduled for July 14. Meanwhile in docket R.20-023-008, Verizon’s Tracfone slammed a proposed decision to reduce California LifeLine subsidies when total federal monthly support applied to a LifeLine plan is more than $9.25. Other companies also raised concerns with the item that could get a vote Aug. 25 (see 2207280059). The CPUC draft “limits consumer choice and harms consumer affordability in a manner that is contrary to the” Moore Universal Telephone Service Act, a 2021 California law, said the wireless Lifeline provider: The draft “would prohibit low-income consumers from maximizing the full breadth of federal and state Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and LifeLine support that carriers would use to help design unlimited wireless connectivity offerings at no cost.”