The FCC has released a Public Notice seeking comment on the Lifeline marketplace in order to inform the Wireline Competition Bureau’s report on the state of the Lifeline marketplace, which will provide a recommendation as to whether the Lifeline program’s transition to mainly supporting broadband services should be completed. Specifically, the FCC is requesting comment on the following: (1) the prevalence of subscriptions in the Lifeline program; (2) affordability; (3) the pace at which voice and data usage have changed since the FCC adopted the 2016 Lifeline Order; (4) minimum service standards; (5) the benefits of continuing to support voice service as an independent option; and (6) the intersection of the Lifeline marketplace and the recently established Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.
Comments are due April 19, 2021 and reply comments are due May 4, 2021. The Bureau’s report is set to be published by June 30, 2021.
