The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC or Commission) Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) has released an Order clarifying that an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) must permit Lifeline-eligible customers to apply the Lifeline discount to standalone broadband Internet access service if the ETC subject to high-cost public interest broadband obligations commercially offers a standalone BIAS service. The Bureau stated that this clarification rendered moot the Petition for Temporary Waiver filed by NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association and WTA – Advocates for Rural Broadband on October 24, 2016. As such, the Bureau dismissed the petition.
