FCC Lifeline Broadband Plans Draw Support, State/Local Concerns, Tribal Requests

commission to reach out more directly to tribal authorities to address their needs. Responding to several requests for more time, the FCC extended its Aug. 17 deadline to Aug. 31 for commenting on its NPRM to revamp its Lifeline USF support for low-income consumers (see 1508050032). Some parties filed comments in docket 11-42 by the original deadline. The Alliance for Excellent Education said it “strongly supports” FCC efforts to expand and modernize Lifeline to help “narrow the homework gap” affecting “low-income families and traditional minorities” that lack access to technology needed to do school assignments. Senior Service America asked the agency to "strengthen links between Lifeline’s existing eligibility determination system and other major federal means-tested assistance programs as an efficient and effective way to reach a significant proportion of the millions of older Americans who remain offline.” State and local officials expressed varying degrees of enthusiasm for general Lifeline reform efforts, but voiced concerns about some proposals, in letters that appeared to work off the same template. Linda Hudson, mayor of Fort Pierce, Florida, said “several aspects of this regulatory scheme” would “adversely affect qualified low-income individuals and households, and further broaden the digital divide.” She and others said they were concerned a proposed FCC rule would force Lifeline subscribers to choose between spending their monthly subsidy on cellphone service or broadband. They also said the commission’s current $9.25/month Lifeline subsidy isn't enough to buy broadband that would “solve any real communications issues” or voice/broadband bundles. Public Knowledge asked the FCC to take care in establishing any “budget” for the Lifeline program, which provides about $1.6 billion in support, down from $2.1 billion a few years ago. Some tribal groups also weighed in, seeking greater consultation and outreach.