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FCC proposes broadband subsidy for low-income Americans

2016-03-09 09:38:00| Telecompaper Headlines

(Telecompaper) FCC chairman Tom Wheeler explains why the commission is extending the Lifeline social programme for basic internet service to broadband in the blog post "Broadband: A Lifeline for the 21st Century". Lifeline was launched in 1985 and is used by tens of millions of Americans today. He writes that more than 64 million Americans live on the wrong side of the digital divide. The modernisation re-orients Lifeline for the broadband era and sets minimum service standards for voice and broadband. Lifeline's management and design will be improved by streamling programme rules and a new third-party National Eligibility Verifier platform to fight waste, fraud and abuse, shutting the door on Lifeline's "final remaining vulnerability". Wireless industry association CTIA welcomed the move, but said it was troubled by a proposal to eliminate support for wireless voice services while continuing to fund wireline voice.

Tags: americans broadband proposes fcc

FCC Plans to Expand Low-Income Assistance to Broadband Ahead of Privacy Rules

2016-03-09 05:24:34| Wireless - Topix.net

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler participates in a panel discussion in this file photo in Washington, D.C. on February 6, 2014. This morning, FCC chairman Tom Wheeler posted a lengthy letter to his office's website that laid out the Commission's plans for Lifeline, a federal program which provides a $10 per month subsidy to the lowest-income Americans for wired phone services.

Tags: privacy rules plans expand