Lifeline (FCC program)
[14] In 1997, the FCC broadened the scope of the program under the 1997 Universal Service Order to make Lifeline more affordable for low-income households by raising the federal support amount.[19] The reform happened amidst criticism of significant waste in the program, such as the fact that there was no database to check if any of the 17 million households received subsidies for more than one phone.[26] On April 1, 2016, the Federal Communications Commission voted to expand the Lifeline telephone subsidy for low-income Americans to include Internet access."[29] As a result, Ajit Pai, current FCC commissioner withdrew some Lifeline subsidies "to come up with a better way to vet them for potential waste, fraud and abuse.[33] Pai claimed the proposed cutbacks would encourage business investment in low income communities, reducing the need for the government spending on the program.[36] Pai's hope is that this budget cut will stimulate the free market and allow existing broadband networks to expand their infrastructure into the rural areas.Senators issued a joint letter opposing the cutbacks, contending that, "The Lifeline Program is essential for millions of Americans who rely on subsidized internet access to find jobs, schedule doctor's appointments, complete their school assignments, interface with the government, and remain connected in a digital economy."[37] This cut to the Lifeline program prevents other smaller companies known as resellers from "buying network capacity from big telecom providers and then selling it back to low-income consumers at cheaper rates.[38] The FCC under Ajit Pai opened an inquiry in 2017 about excluding wireless resellers, eliminating support of standalone broadband service, and capping the budget of Lifeline.In April 2019, the FCC office of Inspector General issued an advisory alert to carriers and beneficiaries in connection to fraudulent enrollment practices.[40] The biggest change in this proposal is to put in additional requirements to ensure that carriers enrolling subscribers can verify that the person is still living.
Federal Communications CommissionUniversal Service FundAssurance WirelessObama administrationIndian reservationsEmergency Broadband BenefitAffordable Connectivity ProgramMedicaidAjit PaiE-Ratepublic domain47 CFRWayback MachineBrendan CarrGeoffrey StarksNathan SimingtonAnna M. GomezChairsEugene O. SykesAnning Smith PrallFrank R. McNinchJames Lawrence FlyE. K. JettPaul A. PorterCharles R. DennyPaul A. WalkerWayne CoyRosel H. HydeGeorge McConnaugheyJohn C. DoerferFrederick W. FordNewton N. MinowE. William HenryDean BurchRichard E. WileyCharles D. FerrisRobert LeeMark S. FowlerDennis R. PatrickAlfred C. SikesJames Henry QuelloReed HundtWilliam KennardMichael PowellKevin MartinMichael CoppsJulius GenachowskiMignon ClyburnTom WheelerJessica RosenworcelTitle 47 USCCommunications Act of 1934Brinkley ActAll-Channel Receiver ActCommunications Satellite Act of 1962Public Broadcasting Act of 1967Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984Satellite Home Viewer ActChildren's Television ActTelephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement ActTelecommunications Act of 1996Communications Decency ActSection 230Child Online Protection ActWireless Communications and Public Safety ActBroadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005Telephone Records and Privacy Protection Act of 2006Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness ActTruth in Caller ID Act of 2009Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation ActLocal Community Radio ActSatellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010Title 47 CFRTitle 47 CFR Part 15Title 47 CFR Part 68Title 47 CFR Part 971978 Broadcast Policy Statement on minority ownership2008 United States wireless spectrum auctionAncillary Terrestrial ComponentAntenna structure registrationAWS-3 auctionBroadcast call signsBroadcast flagBroadcast licenseBroadcast rangeBroadcasting duopolyCarriage disputeCity of licenseClass A television serviceClear-channel stationComparative hearingDark and silent stationsDispersal of ownershipFacility IDFM Non-Duplication RuleFrequency coordinatorLocal marketing agreementdisputeProgram test authorityPublic fileRadio Amateur Civil Emergency ServiceReference distanceRimshot broadcastingSignificantly viewed signals permitted to be carriedSpecial temporary authorityUnited States National Radio Quiet ZoneWhite spacesActionable indecencyBroadcasting watershedEmergency Alert SystemEqual-time ruleFamily Viewing HourFairness doctrineFinancial Interest and Syndication RulesFleeting expletiveGovernment-access televisionMayflower doctrineMust-carryNon-commercial educational stationPersonal attack rulePervasiveness doctrinePrime Time Access Rule