Small Carriers Seek FCC Action on ETC Petitions in Calls With Rosenworcel Aides

Representatives of i-wireless and other small carriers spoke with staff for FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel asking for action on the request expanding eligible telecom carrier designations granted in 2012, especially given the freeze in affordable connectivity program enrollments. Without Wireline Bureau approval, “i-wireless is unable to offer Lifeline to eligible low-income Americans in significant portions of Florida, North Carolina and other states where its ETC designation has been granted by the Commission,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 21-450: With affordable connectivity program “enrollments frozen and consumers needing to find affordable alternatives during the ACP wind-down period, we respectfully urged the Office of the Chairwoman to direct the Bureau to expeditiously complete its review.” Assist Wireless also spoke with Rosenworcel aides on the ETC petition. The Wireline Bureau “has restricted provider participation and impeded competition in the Lifeline program for a dozen years by failing to act on Assist Wireless’s Lifeline compliance plan and federal ETC petition,” Assist said. American Broadband reported a similar meeting. The bureau “has restricted provider participation and impeded competition in the Lifeline program for a dozen years by failing to act on American Broadband’s federal ETC petition (among others),” the provider said. Boomerang Wireless also reported on an ETC call with aides to the chairwoman.