1. Streamlining the ETC Designation Process 122 2. Creating a New Lifeline Approval Process 132 D. Modernizing and Enhancing the Program 142 1. TracFone Petition for Rulemaking Regarding Texting 143 2. Subscriber De-enrollment Procedures 147 3. Wireless Emergency Alerts 154 E. Efficient Administration of the Program 156 1. Program Evaluation 157 2. Tribal Lands Support 158 3. E-Sign 172 4. The National Lifeline Accountability Database: Applications and Processes 178 5. Assumption of ETC Designations, Assignment of Lifeline Subscriber Base and Exiting the Market 185 6. Shortening the Non-Usage Period 198 7. Increasing Public Access to Lifeline Program Disbursements and Subscriber Counts 200 8. Universal Consumer Certification, Recertification, and Household Worksheet Forms 203 9. Execution Date for Certification and Recertification 207 10. Officer Training Certification 210 11. First-year ETC Audits 216 III. RECONSIDERATION 224 A. Retention of Eligibility Documentation 224 IV. SECOND REPORT AND 238 A. Establishing a Uniform Snapshot Date Going Forward 238 B. Resale of Retail Lifeline Supported Services 244 C. Defining the in 257 “Former Reservations Oklahoma” D. Conserving Audit Resources 268 V. 271 VI. PROCEDURAL MATTERS 286 A. Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 286 B. Paperwork Reduction Act Analysis 287 C. Congressional Review Act 288 D. Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 289 E. Initial Paperwork Reduction Act 290 F. Ex Parte 291 G. Comment Filing Procedures 292 VII. ORDERING CLAUSES 298 APPENDIX A Proposed Rules – APPENDIX B Final Rules – APPENDIX C Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis – APPENDIX D Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis – APPENDIX E Oklahoma Tribal Map – INTRODUCTION For nearly 30 years, the Lifeline program has ensured that qualifying low-income Americans have the opportunities and security that voice service brings, including being able to find jobs, access health care, and connect with family. As the Commission explained at the program’s inception, for the elderly, poor, and disabled, the telephone [has] truly [been] a lifeline “[i]n many cases, particularly to the to telephone service has [been] crucial to full participation in our outside world.” Thus, “[a]ccess society and economy which are increasingly dependent upon the rapid exchange of In information.” 1996, Congress recognized the importance and success of the program and enshrined its mission into the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act). Over time, the Lifeline program has evolved from a
1. Streamlining the ETC Designation Process 122 2. Creating a New Lifeline Approval Process 132 D. Modernizing and Enhancing the Program 142 1. TracFone Petition for Rulemaking Regarding Texting 143 2. Subscriber De-enrollment Procedures 147 3. Wireless Emergency Alerts 154 E. Efficient Administration of the Program 156 1. Program Evaluation 157 2. Tribal Lands Support 158 3. E-Sign 172 4. The National Lifeline Accountability Database: Applications and Processes 178 5. Assumption of ETC Designations, Assignment of Lifeline Subscriber Base and Exiting the Market 185 6. Shortening the Non-Usage Period 198 7. Increasing Public Access to Lifeline Program Disbursements and Subscriber Counts 200 8. Universal Consumer Certification, Recertification, and Household Worksheet Forms 203 9. Execution Date for Certification and Recertification 207 10. Officer Training Certification 210 11. First-year ETC Audits 216 III. 224 A. Retention of Eligibility Documentation 224 IV. SECOND REPORT AND 238 A. Establishing a Uniform Snapshot Date Going Forward 238 B. Resale of Retail Lifeline Supported Services 244 C. Defining the “Former Reservations in Oklahoma” 257 D. Conserving Audit Resources 268 V. 271 VI. 286 A. Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 286 B. Paperwork Reduction Act Analysis 287 C. Congressional Review Act 288 D. Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 289 E. Initial Paperwork Reduction Act 290 F. Ex Parte 291 G. Comment Filing Procedures 292 VII. 298 APPENDIX A – Proposed Rules APPENDIX B – Final Rules APPENDIX C – Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis APPENDIX D – Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis APPENDIX E – Oklahoma Tribal Map INTRODUCTION For nearly 30 years, the Lifeline program has ensured that qualifying low-income Americans have the opportunities and security that voice service brings, including being able to find jobs, access health care, and connect with family. As the Commission explained at the program’s inception, “[i]n many cases, particularly for the elderly, poor, and disabled, the telephone [has] truly [been] a lifeline to the outside world.” Thus, “[a]ccess to telephone service has [been] crucial to full participation in our society and economy which are increasingly dependent upon the rapid exchange of information.” In 1996, Congress recognized the importance and success of the program and enshrined its mission into the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act). Over time, the Lifeline program has evolved from a RECONSIDERATION PROCEDURAL MATTERS ORDERING CLAUSES