The FCC issued a Public Notice on November 22, and USAC a Program News release on November 23, concerning filing procedures for forbearance from Lifeline broadband obligations. Unless they file forbearance notifications, all Lifeline Program service providers must offer Lifeline-supported broadband beginning December 2nd.
Forbearance may be requested by:
- Lifeline-only providers in Census blocks in any of their designated service areas, and
- High Cost support recipients in Census blocks where they are not receiving high cost support or are not subject to high cost public interest broadband obligations.
Recipients of High Cost support are not eligible for forbearance relief in Census blocks where they receive high cost support and are subject to high cost public service broadband obligations but do not yet offer broadband speeds of at least 4/1Mbps.
You may elect forbearance relief by December 2, or within 30 days of receiving ETC designation or a qualifying change to high cost support, by submitting forbearance notices to:
- FCC, using WC Docket No. 11-42 in the FCC Electronic Comment Filing System, and
- USAC, email to Telco Lifeline if under 15MB; if over 15MB, contact USAC for instructions.
Details of the specific information to be included in your notification are included in the FCC’s November 22nd Public Notice.
