CPUC Nears Decision on CASF/LifeLine Responses to Virus, Schedules Broader Changes
The California Public Utilities Commission plans to act soon on COVID-19 responses via state LifeLine and the California Advanced Services Fund. “Swift action by the Commission in response to issues that have a nexus with COVID-19 impact mitigation is appropriate,”…
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CPUC Administrative Law Judge Brian Stevens wrote in a ruling emailed Monday to the service list in R.12-10-012. The Communications Division will mail a proposal to be voted on by commissioners modifying the CASF adoption account, said Stevens. Later this month, the agency will release a proposed decision on emergency LifeLine measures for COVID-19, said assigned Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma in a Monday scoping memo in docket R.20-02-008, detailing a schedule for broader LifeLine changes. “This process will reflect our continued commitment to ensure access to voice services across the state, as federal subsidies for voice services decline, and our policy goals for increasing program participation and access to broadband services,” Shiroma wrote. Fund authorizations “will require ... sufficient information from Program carriers.” The CPUC will weigh more funding to spur wireless carriers to meet or exceed federal Lifeline minimum broadband requirements, and “to incentivize carriers to provide broadband packages for wireline participants,” she said. Comments on the scoping memo are due May 4, replies May 26. The agency will host a status conference June 23, with comments due July 7, replies July 17. The CPUC plans to release a PD in August or September, voting at least 30 days later. Shiroma agreed with commenters who asked to priortize revamping the renewals process (see 2004060061). A working group will file a proposal to improve renewals in Q4 2020 or Q1 2021 and the CPUC will issue a proposed decision within 90 days. An external contractor will assess LifeLine Q3 2020-Q2 2021 to find ways to improve participation and renewals, and the commission plans to make a proposed decision on recommendations in Q4 2021, she said.