The FCC has released a public notice approving the amended compliance plans of Global Connection, Inc. of America (GC) and Phone Club Corporation (PCC), filed pursuant to the 2015 Lifeline FNPRM and Order and the 2012 Lifeline Reform Order, as a condition of obtaining forbearance from the facilities requirement of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, for the continued provision of reselling wireline service with Lifeline support. Under the 2015 Lifeline FNPRM and Order and the 2012 Lifeline Reform Order, only ETCs providing Lifeline service directly to the consumer may seek reimbursement from the Lifeline program for the service provided. Beginning August 2016, non-ETC resellers are no longer eligible to receive Lifeline support, unless they obtain approval from the FCC of a Lifeline compliance plan in order to obtain ETC designations from either state regulators or the FCC. GC and PCC filed amended compliance plans and each sought FCC approval to offer Lifeline-eligible wholesale wireline services. Upon its review of the amended compliance plans, the Commission determined GC and PCC each conformed with the 2015 Lifeline FNPRM and Order and the 2012 Lifeline Reform Order, and their respective compliance plans have been approved.
