The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a fine of more than $6 million against Tracfone Wireless for apparent violations of the FCC’s Lifeline program rules. Identifying Lifeline program abuse has become a focus of the FCC. According to the FCC,…
A three-year study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has revealed evidence of FCC Lifeline program fraud. Evidence included large numbers of fake and deceased recipients, lack of verification of more than one-third of participants and other significant management…
Atlanta, Georgia — November 29, 2016 — iPass Inc. (NASDAQ: IPAS), the leading provider of global mobile connectivity, and Telrite Corporation, through its Lifeline supported wireless service, Life Wireless™, today announced a partnership to bring unlimited Wi-Fi access to qualifying subscribers…
Concerns about the potential for fraud has led the FCC to consider limiting Lifeline payments for broadband Internet or voice service to low-income households participating in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Furthermore, applicants would need to obtain vouchers…
The Federal Communications Commission’s efforts to crack down on abusers of the Universal Service low-income Lifeline program seem to be paying off. Late last week the FCC, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of…
September 30, 2013 — Washington, D.C. – Today, following investigations by its Enforcement Bureau, the FCC proposed more than $14.4 million in forfeitures against five wireless Lifeline service providers who apparently violated the Commission’s Lifeline rules. The violations involve thousands…
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and utility regulators are highlighting the Lifeline and Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) telecom programs for low-income consumers as part of Lifeline Awareness Week, which runs through Friday. Part of the reason the regulators may be…
The FCC has released an order adopted in late October that strengthens rules for the Lifeline telecom program that pays some of a low-income user’s phone or broadband costs. The goal is to strengthen the program’s enrollment, recertification and reimbursement…
A proposed Lifeline Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) circulating within the FCC would impose stricter Lifeline program rules, but doesn’t deal with several other issues that are on the table, including whether to cap the program budget….
The FCC is proposing major changes to the USF Lifeline program, including imposing a cap on the program, which has disbursed as much as $2.1 billion in a year to cover some or all of the cost of broadband and/or…
Launched back in 1985, the federal Lifeline program provides qualified low-income consumers, including many retired people on fixed incomes, access to telecoms services from private-sector service providers at discounted rates. Part of the Universal Service Fund (USF), Lifeline discounts today…
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