Missouri PSC Supports USTelecom Petition for More Time on Lifeline
The Missouri Public Service Commission supported a USTelecom petition to give some states more time to align state Lifeline rules with changes to the federal program that added broadband as a supported service to the low-income program. With an FCC…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
implementation deadline coming early in December, multiple states are expected to support the USTelecom petition in comments due to the commission Friday in docket 11-42 (see 1610180028). The association asked for temporary waiver of certain rules so Lifeline providers can continue enrolling consumers in the federal USF low-income subsidy support program based on state-specific criteria in 25 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. In comments posted Wednesday, the Missouri PSC said it won’t meet the FCC Dec. 2 deadline because it faces a lengthy rulemaking process. Historically, getting a required fiscal impact review from the state Department of Economic Development has taken “a few weeks to over a year,” it said. “As a general rule a minimum of six months is needed to complete a formal rulemaking.”