
Media Contact:
Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253
mark.wigfield@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC Takes Steps to Modernize and Reform Lifeline for Broadband
Washington, D.C. (June 18, 2015) - The Federal Communications Commission today took
significant steps to modernize its Lifeline program, seeking comment on restructuring the
program to better support 21st Century communications while building on existing reforms to
continue strengthening protections against waste, fraud and abuse.
Lifeline was established in 1985 to help make phone service affordable for low-income
Americans. In 2008, the Commission expanded the program to allow participation by low-cost
wireless providers. In 2012, the Commission made significant reforms, including a database that
has essentially ended program abuse caused by multiple Lifeline subscriptions in a household.
But now, 30 years after Lifeline was founded, the Commission has concluded it is time for a
fundamental, comprehensive restructuring of the program to meet today's most pressing
communications needs: access to broadband.
Broadband has become essential to participation in modern society, offering access to jobs,
education, health care, government services and opportunity. Unfortunately, income remains a
significant barrier to broadband adoption:
While over 95% of households with incomes of $150,000 or more have access, only 48%
of those making less than $25,000 have service at home.
Low-income consumers disproportionately use smart phones for Internet access - but
nearly 50% of them have had to cancel or suspend smartphone service due to financial
hardship.
Lifeline helps makes communications services more affordable for low-income consumers by
providing a $9.25 a month subsidy. The item adopted by the FCC proposes and seeks comment
on maintaining the same $9.25 subsidy, and seeks to use that money as efficiently and effectively
as possible to deliver modern communications services. Proposals on which the Commission
seeks comment also include:
Adopting minimum service standards for both voice and broadband service
Whether broadband should be a required offering of Lifeline providers
How to encourage more competition to improve price and service
How to encourage more participation by the states.
Building on the 2012 reforms, the item also proposes streamlining and tightening the process of
verifying consumer eligibility by taking it out of the hands of providers. Ideas include
establishing a third-party national verifier, coordination with other federal needs-based
programs, and considering the use of direct subsidies to consumers through vouchers. The item
also seeks comment on a budget for the program.
Finally, the item includes an Order that makes immediate reforms to reduce waste, fraud and
abuse. These include requiring providers to retain documentation of consumer eligibility, which
will improve oversight and audits.
Action by the Commission June 18, 2015 by Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,
Order on Reconsideration, Second Report and Order, and Memorandum Opinion and Order(FCC
15-71). Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn and Rosenworcel with Commissioners Pai
and O'Rielly dissenting. Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai and
O'Rielly issuing statements.
###
Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @FCC
www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a
Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ
1974).
Most recent headlines
15/03/2025
Warner Bros. Discovery is reporting that the trailer for The Last of Us season two amassed 158 million global views across platforms in its first three days, ...
15/03/2025
LAS VEGAS & CINCINNATI The Las Vegas Aces and Scripps Sports have signed a multiyear agreement to make Scripps Vegas 34 station the official broadcast home of W...
15/03/2025
CHAMPAIGNE, Ill. Cobalt Digital will feature IPMX-compliant products, including its SAPPHIRE mini converters and PACIFIC encoders enhanced with IPMX support, du...
15/03/2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. TiVo has announced that the latest release of Sharp Smart TVs Powered by TiVo are now available for purchase in the U.S....
15/03/2025
BOSTON Collaborative media workflow solution provider EditShare has announced that it will be showing a wide range of new innovations at the 2025 NAB Show that ...
15/03/2025
SES to introduce a suite of integrated services that enhance Lynk Global's s...
15/03/2025
Editing and Color Grading Promo Codes for Audiio and MotionVFX!
Kasia Jarco March 14, 2025
0 Comments
I wanted to share some promo codes for great too...
15/03/2025
Avid Makes Key Additions to Executive Leadership Team to Meet the Needs of the E...
15/03/2025
NAB 2025: Cobalt Announces Plans to Bring Plug and Play ST 2110 Experience to NA...
15/03/2025
Student Spotlight: Rachel McFarlane The Canadian composer talks about being drawn to the storytelling power of scoring for film and video games, working with ...
14/03/2025
By Lucy Spicer
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival...
14/03/2025
Time flies when you're having fun and we can confidently say that Bill Simmons, founder of The Ringer and Spotify's Head of Talk Strategy, is having not...
14/03/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
14/03/2025
TV Technology: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trends at the 2025 NAB Show?...
14/03/2025
The Dalet NAB 2025 showcase will feature its market-leading enterprise News, Media Management and Supply Chain solutions designed for faster deployment and acce...
14/03/2025
IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) will debut its latest advancements for premium live streaming at NAB 2025 (booth W1401), introducing new AI-driven technologies d...
14/03/2025
TAG Video Systems, the leader in software-based IP media probing, monitoring, visualization, and analytics, and Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT), the worldwide leader in...
14/03/2025
Unicanal and Trece TV, two of Paraguay s leading broadcasters, have successfully launched digital TV services in three main cities: Encarnaci n, Ciudad del Este...
14/03/2025
The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA), and the Video Services Forum (VSF) today announced that the IP Showcase ...
14/03/2025
Digital Alert Systems, the global leader in emergency communications solutions for media providers, today announced that Nebraska Public Media is deploying the ...
14/03/2025
Interra Systems, a leading provider of end-to-end quality assurance solutions for the digital media industry, today announced that Comcast Technology Solutions ...
14/03/2025
At the 2025 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show, Rightsline will showcase innovations designed to make rights and royalties management smarter, fast...
14/03/2025
PK Sound, the robotic line array company, has formally released the Tx Series of intelligent multi-purpose point source modules, beginning with the ultra-versat...
14/03/2025
Avid today announced the expansion of its executive leadership team (ELT) with the appointment of three experienced executives: Tom Sharma as Chief Technology ...
14/03/2025
DigitalGlue, a trusted systems integrator and provider of end-to-end media solutions, is redefining storage workflows with its innovative platform, creative.spa...
14/03/2025
CVP, one of Europe s leading resellers and providers of professional video and broadcast solutions, is partnering with renowned director and cinematographer Joe...
14/03/2025
Cobalt Digital, the leading designer and manufacturer of award-winning signal processing products, and a founding partner in the openGear initiative has announ...
14/03/2025
Keepit, a global provider of a comprehensive cloud backup and recovery platform, announced today its success at the Business Awards UK, 2025 Cybersecurity and R...
14/03/2025
Lightware, an industry-leading manufacturer of signal management solutions, has announced its commitment to fostering strong relationships with top technology c...
14/03/2025
Editing and Color Grading Promo Codes
Kasia Jarco March 14, 2025
0 Comments
I wanted to share some promo codes for great tools for your video editing ...
14/03/2025
Singaporean Singer-Songwriter JJ Lin on Craft, Courage, and Creativity The artist shared candid insights into his musical evolution, personal challenges, and ...
14/03/2025
Three strategic appointments aims to bolster the leadership team at Avid, reinforcing the companys commitment to remain at the forefront of innovation
By Matth...
14/03/2025
Coming at a pivotal time for the sector, the funding underscores Cinesites ambition and confidence in the media and entertainment industry
By Matthew Corrigan ...
14/03/2025
Karen Chupka, executive vice president and managing director, NAB Global Connections and Events, gives TVBEurope the lowdown on what visitors can expect at next...
14/03/2025
BURLINGTON, Mass. Avid has expanded its executive leadership team (ELT) with the appointment of three experienced executives: Tom Sharma as chief technology off...
14/03/2025
CUPERTINO, Calif. TVU Networks, a pioneer in live video production and a leader in cloud-based media solutions, is marking its 20th anniversary at the 2025 NAB ...
14/03/2025
Telos Alliance To Demonstrate New Next Generation Audio Features at 2025 NAB Sh...
14/03/2025
Live From THE PLAYERS: RED Cameras Help Cosm Capture Unique Looks for Cosm Venue...
14/03/2025
NWSL Kickoff 2025: League Operations Team Preps for NEP-Driven Remote Production...
14/03/2025
NWSL Kickoff 2025: Scripps Sports Introduces New On-Air Team for Second Year of ...
14/03/2025
SVG Sit-Down: Marie Margolius on the Thrill of Directing New Prime Video Docuser...
14/03/2025
Live From THE PLAYERS: NBC Sports Tees Up Drone Tracing, Taps Into NEP Compound ...
14/03/2025
Back to All News
Get a Glimpse of the Epic Battles in First Look at Record of ...
14/03/2025
Back to All News
Celebrating the Italian Historical Drama Il Gattopardo' Across the Globe
The series' creative team speaks at the Rome premiere.
Ent...
14/03/2025
Back to All News
The Electric State' Brings Cosmo and The Billbots to Life...
14/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales has reached a historic milestone by deliv...
14/03/2025
2FM's fresh weekend lineup goes live this Saturday as a host of new presente...
13/03/2025
(L-R) Stephanie Suganami, Tatanka Means, John Malkovich, Ayo Edebiri, and Juliette Lewis attend the premiere of Opus at Eccles Theatre in Park City. (Photo by...
13/03/2025
Spotify took center stage at the London Book Fair this week, reaffirming our commitment to the audiobook market and showcasing our impact on the publishing indu...
13/03/2025
At Spotify, we work every day to lift up new voices, giving creators the opportunity to live off their art. Through Spotify Audiobooks, our in-house publishing ...