USTelecom Seeks Some Changes to Safe Connections Draft FCC Order

USTelecom welcomed the FCC's draft order implementing the Safe Connections Act in separate meetings with aides to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioners Brendan Carr, Geoffrey Starks and Nathan Simington. Commissioners will consider the order, which would provide survivors of domestic violence with access to safe and affordable communications services, during a Nov. 15 agency meeting (see 2310250070). The group sought greater flexibility in the deadlines for providers to update their copies of the hotline database, per an ex parte filing posted Tuesday in docket 22-238. "Providers will need the additional time to perform the monthly updates if the process is technically complex," USTelecom said. The group also asked that survivors self-certify their eligibility for Lifeline to do so in the national verifier and that they can receive the benefit only for voice-only mobile wireless service.