Michigan PSC Seeks Delay in Lifeline Implementation
The FCC should postpone the effective date of new Lifeline federal eligibility criteria and obligation to offer broadband service under the low-income program to Dec. 31, 2017, or 12 months after approval by the Office of Management and Budget, the…
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Michigan Public Service Commission said in a letter Tuesday to the commission in docket 11-42. The PSC supported that aspect of a USTelecom petition for reconsideration (see 1608090023). “The MPSC has similar concerns as those expressed by USTelecom regarding the effective date of the new federal eligibility criteria and its impact on state laws, rules and orders with programs that differ from the new federal eligibility criteria,” the state commission said. “Michigan is one of the states in which the state eligibility criteria for the state discount are now different than the new federal criteria. … Postponing the effective date of the federal eligibility criteria will provide a better opportunity for parties to address the differences between state and federal Lifeline programs, obtain answers to the numerous questions that still remain, and also provide additional time for all parties to work together to ensure a smooth, efficient, and effective transition.” States have sued the FCC over the order, challenging the creation of a federal eligible telecom carrier process and pre-emption of state commission authority to designate ETCs (see 1607270020).