CPUC Revises Low-Income Pilot Draft Ahead of Vote

A proposed California low-income pilot could be extended beyond the conclusion of the federal affordable connectivity program (ACP), under a revised draft released Monday. The California Public Utilities Commission plans to consider the item in docket R.20-02-008 at Thursday’s meeting. "The assigned Commissioner or assigned ALJ may extend the wireline pilot program beyond the conclusion of ACP to a date no later than two years after the effective date of this decision, regardless of whether the ACP is replaced by a successor federal subsidy program,” said new language by assigned Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma. “An extension ruling may not change the California LifeLine subsidy provided through the pilot program or replace the loss of the ACP discount.” Also, Shiroma revised a draft requirement that wireless pilot providers propose a replacement plan for customers after the pilot ends. "A service provider may propose to modify a replacement wireless service plan through a subsequent Tier 1 advice letter, so long as the replacement plan does not increase customer co-payments or reduce customer benefits,” it said. Apparently in response to Verizon’s concerns (see 2305170034), the revised draft also added an exception for “reasonable network management practices” to a proposed restriction on throttling wireless speeds. Providers may limit free smartphone distribution to one per household every 90 days, said another change to the draft.