FCC Should Forbear ICS Callers, Providers From USF Contributions, NCIC Says
The FCC should grant its petition for forbearance on USF contributions for interstate and international inmate calling services, for callers and correctional telecom providers, replied Network Communications International Corp., posted in docket 19-232. The company petitioned in August, and Worth…
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!
Rises says the FCC continue to collect USF fees from providers but prohibit pass-through to consumers (see 1909170029). NCIC said that "would require the modification of other FCC rules which are outside the scope of the proceeding." It said such a change would likely lead some ICS providers to pass the costs to users directly or indirectly. Global Tel*Link said because interstate ICS isn't a Lifeline service, it's subject to USF contributions that can be passed through to users, even when those users and families would typically be Lifeline customers.