FCC Closes Out 5 Lifeline Investigations; Carriers Agree to Fines
The FCC said it wrapped up consent decrees with five carriers that allegedly violated the commission’s Lifeline rules. Each of the companies also agreed to put in place a compliance plan. Telrite agreed to pay the biggest fine, $1 million.…
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The other carriers and their fines are i-wireless ($750,000); Global Connections ($425,000); Easy Wireless ($100,000) and Cintex Wireless ($55,000). None commented. “Noting that the companies have already repaid the program for improper payments, the FCC found that the public interest would be served by adopting the Consent Decrees, which resolve the Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeitures issued to the companies,” the FCC said in a news release. Commissioner Mignon Clyburn approved in part and dissented in part on each of the orders. “While I believe the Commission should have taken strong and decisive action, the Enforcement Bureau under this Chairman continues to show bias,” Clyburn said. “It essentially gives hall passes to large, well-known corporations when wrongdoing is found, while it fines little-known small businesses and individuals substantial sums of money for harms which are often substantially narrower. When a company or an individual violates our rules, they should be punished, but that punishment should fit the offense.”