TracFone, NTCA Petitions Get Some Support
The National Lifeline Association (NaLA) and others supported bids for relief from Lifeline minimum service standards by TracFone and NTCA. Initial comments were due Thursday in docket 11-42 (see 1807310069). NTCA sought, on behalf of RLECs, temporary waiver from updated…
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FCC Wireline Bureau Lifeline minimum standards for fixed broadband service that take effect Dec. 1 (see 1807240014). TracFone is seeking a Section 54.408(b) waiver or a ruling it could comply with minimum service standards by giving customers "a specified quantity of 'units' per month" (see 1807260028). “A necessary step towards achieving Chairman [Ajit] Pai’s stated goal of empowering consumers who participate in the Lifeline program is to eliminate the paternalistic … minimum service standards, which imposed the judgment of Washington regulators over that of consumers,” NaLA said. WTA supported the NTCA ask. “As NTCA notes, there is a difference in price when considering different broadband speed tiers,” WTA said. The Missouri Public Service Commission supported TracFone. “TracFone’s proposal may simplify program requirements for ETCs [eligible telecom carriers] by giving companies greater flexibility in offering a plan to meet Lifeline’s minimum standards,” the PSC said. “This flexibility is needed because, as an example, Missouri presently is experiencing more companies leaving the Lifeline program than entering it. TracFone’s proposal may remedy this scenario by encouraging existing ETCs to remain in the Lifeline program as well as by encouraging new companies to join.”