Commissioner Mignon Clyburn called FCC rate-of-return USF changes a "win-win" for rural consumers wanting broadband and phone consumers paying into the USF. Clyburn said she was proud the FCC went beyond fixing a stand-alone broadband problem that prevented rural telcos from receiving USF support when customers with high-speed Internet access dropped traditional phone service. "We are also establishing a blueprint to connect unserved households and modernize the Connect America Fund to ensure that rate-of-return carriers use finite resources as efficiently as possible," she said in a statement that accompanied the 249-page Order and Further NPRM released Wednesday (see 1603300065).
The FCC voted 3-2 to approve a Lifeline modernization order that extends USF low-income subsidies to broadband service and streamlines the program's administration. But the agency didn't act until after its Thursday meeting was delayed three times, an attempted -- or apparent -- budget compromise collapsed, and Republicans dissented and cried foul. Commissioner Mike O'Rielly suggested personal relations had been "irreparably" harmed because the Democrats "will misrepresent, cut corners and welch on deals." Asked about certain Republican charges, Chairman Tom Wheeler said, "Balderdash."
The FCC voted 3-2 to approve a Lifeline modernization order that extends USF low-income subsidies to broadband service and streamlines the program's administration. But the agency didn't act until after its Thursday meeting was delayed three times, an attempted -- or apparent -- budget compromise collapsed, and Republicans dissented and cried foul. Commissioner Mike O'Rielly suggested personal relations had been "irreparably" harmed because the Democrats "will misrepresent, cut corners and welch on deals." Asked about certain Republican charges, Chairman Tom Wheeler said, "Balderdash."
A three-hour FCC oversight hearing before the House Communications Subcommittee Tuesday became tangled in questions of FCC process and how commissioners can discuss items pending at the commission. Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., helped trigger what became a fierce debate with his questioning. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., raised the same issues in the last week (see 1603210052).
The departure at month's end of FTC Commissioner Julie Brill, described as an influential and staunch privacy and consumer protection advocate with international standing, may rejuvenate political will behind giving the agency its full five members, privacy lawyers said in interviews Tuesday. Brill will join Hogan Lovells as a partner and co-director of the privacy and cybersecurity practice. There will be two open seats -- one Democratic and one Republican -- which some said might spur the Obama administration and Senate to act on nominations
The departure at month's end of FTC Commissioner Julie Brill, described as an influential and staunch privacy and consumer protection advocate with international standing, may rejuvenate political will behind giving the agency its full five members, privacy lawyers said in interviews Tuesday. Brill will join Hogan Lovells as a partner and co-director of the privacy and cybersecurity practice. There will be two open seats -- one Democratic and one Republican -- which some said might spur the Obama administration and Senate to act on nominations
A three-hour FCC oversight hearing before the House Communications Subcommittee Tuesday became tangled in questions of FCC process and how commissioners can discuss items pending at the commission. Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., helped trigger what became a fierce debate with his questioning. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., raised the same issues in the last week (see 1603210052).
The FCC is poised to modernize the Lifeline program for the broadband era later this month, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said last week at a CUE16 meeting in Palm Springs, California, according to a written remarks posted on the agency's website Monday. "When we do, we need to make sure that the program is updated to support broadband -- and allow participants to choose between applying support to either voice or broadband service," she said. "This simple change would both update the program and help bring more broadband to low-income households with school-aged children. But if we care about narrowing the Homework Gap, we can’t stop there. Our Lifeline modernization must make sure that the devices used for Lifeline services are able to access Wi-Fi signals and that those devices can even be turned into Wi-Fi hotspots. Moreover, as we update Lifeline, we should make sure that we are doing everything that we can to make eligible families with school-aged children aware of the program." Rosenworcel also backed taking steps in other proceedings to create more Wi-Fi capacity. Meanwhile, parties continued to lobby the FCC in the Lifeline proceeding in docket 11-42. "Minimum standards should not inadvertently force low-income consumers to choose between a broadband service that is unaffordable despite the program discount or no broadband at all," said a filing posted Monday by NTCA and WTA on their meeting with FCC staffers, including aides to Chairman Tom Wheeler. "Such an issue could arise to the extent that low-income consumers are precluded from choosing to purchase a broadband speed offered by their provider that is more in line with their personal budget. As merely one example, a 10/1 Mbps speed standard -- should one be adopted -- should not preclude a Lifeline subscriber from making the affirmative choice to purchase a 4/1 Mbps broadband service that costs less and is more affordable for that individual low-income consumer," the rural telco groups said. In a letter, Consumer Action said it has concerns about completely phasing out Lifeline support for standalone wireless voice service, preferring to create tiered subsidies with lower amounts for standalone voice and higher amounts for bundled voice/broadband.
The FCC is poised to modernize the Lifeline program for the broadband era later this month, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said last week at a CUE16 meeting in Palm Springs, California, according to a written remarks posted on the agency's website Monday. "When we do, we need to make sure that the program is updated to support broadband -- and allow participants to choose between applying support to either voice or broadband service," she said. "This simple change would both update the program and help bring more broadband to low-income households with school-aged children. But if we care about narrowing the Homework Gap, we can’t stop there. Our Lifeline modernization must make sure that the devices used for Lifeline services are able to access Wi-Fi signals and that those devices can even be turned into Wi-Fi hotspots. Moreover, as we update Lifeline, we should make sure that we are doing everything that we can to make eligible families with school-aged children aware of the program." Rosenworcel also backed taking steps in other proceedings to create more Wi-Fi capacity. Meanwhile, parties continued to lobby the FCC in the Lifeline proceeding in docket 11-42. "Minimum standards should not inadvertently force low-income consumers to choose between a broadband service that is unaffordable despite the program discount or no broadband at all," said a filing posted Monday by NTCA and WTA on their meeting with FCC staffers, including aides to Chairman Tom Wheeler. "Such an issue could arise to the extent that low-income consumers are precluded from choosing to purchase a broadband speed offered by their provider that is more in line with their personal budget. As merely one example, a 10/1 Mbps speed standard -- should one be adopted -- should not preclude a Lifeline subscriber from making the affirmative choice to purchase a 4/1 Mbps broadband service that costs less and is more affordable for that individual low-income consumer," the rural telco groups said. In a letter, Consumer Action said it has concerns about completely phasing out Lifeline support for standalone wireless voice service, preferring to create tiered subsidies with lower amounts for standalone voice and higher amounts for bundled voice/broadband.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler will tout “significant progress in our ongoing efforts to maximize the benefits of communications technology” in the four months since last testifying before the House Communications Subcommittee, according to written testimony for a Tuesday oversight hearing. He will talk about the big-ticket initiatives before the agency, from the pending broadcast TV incentive auction to his proposals to overhaul of set-top box rules, Lifeline and privacy rules for ISPs. All five commissioners will testify. The hearing is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. in 2123 Rayburn.