FCC Wants Low-Income Broadband

May 29, 2015
The FCC is looking into expanding its Lifeline low-income telephony program to include broadband Internet service. Commission Chairman ...
The FCC is looking into expanding its Lifeline low-income telephony program to include broadband Internet service. Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler is seeking comment on a number of proposals, including:
  • Ensuring minimum service standards for voice and broadband
  • Changing Lifeline eligibility administration from a service provider responsibility to a neutral third party administrator
  • Increasing competition among providers on price and service offerings
  • Requiring providers to retain documentation regarding the eligibility of their Lifeline customers to facilitate oversight and audits
  • Extending all record retention requirements from three to 10 years
  • Making key performance data easily available to the public

The FCC has been taking a keener interest in Internet topics lately. Earlier this month, the Commission announced plans to start keeping a closer eye on Internet service providers' privacy practices, and it faces a court challenge over its Open Internet Order issued in February.