Due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in the southeast, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has granted a partial waiver of the “aging numbers” rule, section 52.15(f)(1)(ii). The waiver allows service providers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia to age customers telephone numbers who have temporarily discontinued their service for a 270-day period, expiring on June 28, 2025, before assigning such numbers to other customers. Under the existing rules, service providers may only age disconnected telephone numbers for up to 90 days before assigning such numbers to other customers. The waiver also applies to future major disaster and emergency declarations related to hurricanes and similar events in 2024, with the 270-day period starting from the date of the Presidential declaration. To further assist customers and access to telecommunication services, the FCC is encouraging providers to port numbers outside their rate centers, if technically feasible, and to waive service charges for call forwarding, message center, and voicemail until service is restored.
The WCB has also waived certain rules and deadlines for Lifeline, E-Rate, Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), Rural Health Care (RHC), and High-Cost programs to assist participants and service providers affected by Hurricane Helene. The waiver covers: non-usage and recertification requirements in the Lifeline program; filing deadlines, service and equipment substitutions, and documentation retention and production in the E-Rate program; filing deadlines and documentation retention and production in the ECF program; filing deadlines, documentation retention and production, and invoice deadlines in the RHC program; and performance measure testing requirements. The waiver also extends the annual certification deadline in the High-Cost program. For contributors, Form 499-Q revision deadlines are extended, collection activities are suspended and late fees temporarily waived. The red-light rule is waived and transfer of debts to the Treasury are suspended for contributors until January 2, 2025.
