Groups Resist Changes to Lifeline Minimum Service Standards, Others Disagree
Two groups objected to calls for sweeping relief from Lifeline minimum service standards absent further showings, while others voiced continued support for easing them. Replies were posted through Monday on petitions filed by TracFone and NTCA, which drew backing from…
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the National Lifeline Association (NaLA) and others in initial comments (see 1808310041). New America's Open Technology Institute and the National Hispanic Media Coalition opposed eliminating or relaxing the Lifeline standards, arguing that attempts by NTCA, TracFone and NaLA "to relitigate these broader issues are misplaced in an adjudicatory proceeding." NTCA's petition "does not make a persuasive case for why a blanket waiver of the [18/2 Mbps] minimum standard for its members is necessary or in the public interest," replied OTI and NHMC in docket 11-42. "However, the FCC should consider waiving the minimum standards if there is evidence that providers will exit the market on a widespread basis without such relief." The groups also said they "are interested in better understanding the 'units-based' approach" of TracFone and sought "additional opportunities to examine that proposal." Q Link Wireless urged the FCC to either set aside the standards or clarify that eligible telecom carriers can satisfy them "by offering 'units' plans that put consumers in control of determining their voice and broadband usage needs." If the FCC retains the standards, it shouldn't allow Dec. 1, 2019, "scheduled changes to take effect until 'units' packages are permitted," Q Link added. Sage Telecom (TruConnect) backed eliminating the standards or implementing TracFone's units proposal. "TruConnect agrees with TracFone that a market test of the proposed unit offering is necessary but that such a test should not be limited to TracFone but open to all" interested ETCs, it said, also supporting postponement of new standards until such testing is done and data reviewed. Eliminate the minimum standards regime or adapt it to market "realities" by freezing the voice and data standards at the current 750 minutes and 1 GB of monthly use and permitting carriers to offer units plans, recommended TracFone. NTCA said RLECs need its requested relief because an increase to an 18/2 Mbps standard "will likely come with an increase in monthly rates that may be unaffordable for some low-income consumers." Meanwhile, Passport Health Plan and EmblemHealth backed TracFone's separate petition asking the FCC to direct Universal Service Administrative Co. to ensure a Lifeline national verifier's access to key databases (see 1809140018).