The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau has issued guidance on the process to be used by eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) to notify the FCC of their decision to avail themselves of the option to forbear from certain new Lifeline obligations. The notifications, which are due December 2, must among other things, identify the areas where forbearance is being sought, using an Excel file or shapefile. A forbearance notification by an ETC availing itself of forbearance relief based on a qualifying change in the ETC’s high-cost support for a specific area must identify the date and reason for the change.
