Lifeline Recertification Process: New Guidance From The FCC

October 31, 2016

On October 27, 2016, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) released a Public Notice providing guidance on the rolling Lifeline recertification process established by the FCC earlier this year. In this Public Notice, the Bureau: (1) clarified when the 12-month rolling certification process should start and must be completed; (2) clarified the “service initiation date,” which triggers the 12-month recertification process; and (3) established December 15, 2016 as the deadline when an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) must provide notice to USAC if it intends to have USAC perform the recertification process on its behalf.

A summary of the Bureau’s Public Notice is available here.