Industry Dispute Arises Over Best Fix to Address Lifeline Minimum Service FCC Petition
Q Link and the National Lifeline Association weren't part of a Nov. 5 CTIA filing endorsing a TracFone proposal for the FCC to set a minimum 3 GB data allowance for broadband Lifeline customers instead of the 8.75 GB requirement…
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set to take effect Dec. 1 (see 911060040). NaLA and Q Link filed, posted Thursday in docket 11-42, defending their earlier proposal. NaLA wants to make sure eligible telecom carriers in states without substantial subsidies to add to the basic federal Lifeline subsidy of $9.25 monthly can continue to offer voice and broadband service bundles on a non-co-pay basis. It suggested setting alternate minimum service standards in states without their own subsidies. Otherwise, new Lifeline enrollment "will be further diminished if not virtually eliminated in $9.25 states," NaLA said. "CTIA's latest filing does not reflect the broad coalition of Lifeline service providers it had represented before." CTIA and other industry members petitioned over the summer to delay implementing new broadband minimum service standards and delay reducing voice support until a Lifeline market study due in mid-2021 is evaluated (see 1907010055). NaLA said CTIA members Telrite and Boomerang also support the NaLA approach, as do Lifeline providers Amerimex Communications, Assist Wireless, Cintex Wireless, Easy Wireless, i-wireless, NewPhone Wireless and TruConnect. CTIA didn't comment.