• Telispire Forbearance Withdrawal Order: 12/16/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau approves Telispire’s notice to withdraw its forbearance petition seeking facilities based forbearance on behalf of MVNOs. 
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  • Chairman Genachowski Lifeline Letter: 12/12/2011
    On December 12, 2011, Chairman Genachowski sent a letter to the Commissioners of each state public utilities / public service commission, urging them to join the FCC in reforming the Lifeline program by increasing their efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.
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  • Lifeline Duplicate Resolution Process Guidance Letter: 12/6/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau releases a guidance letter directing the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to issue a request for proposals (RFP) by January 16, 2012, to procure customer care functionalities for the Lifeline Duplicate Resolution Process so that it can continue with targeted IDVs in select states when directed by the Wireline Competition Bureau.
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  • Enforcement Advisory: 12/5/2011
    On December 5, 2011, the Commission’s Enforcement Bureau issued an Enforcement Advisory reminding Lifeline telephone service providers of the prohibition in the Commission’s rules against signing up for Lifeline service any consumer who is already enrolled in the program.
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  • USF/ICC Transformation Public Notice: 12/2/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau provides notice that it is releasing data and maps relevant to the USF/ICC Transformation Proceeding.
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  • USF/ICC Transformation Order & FNPRM: 11/18/2011
    In this order, the Commission comprehensively reforms and modernizes the universal service and intercarrier compensation systems to ensure that robust, affordable voice and broadband service, both fixed and mobile, are available to Americans throughout the nation.
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  • CAL Communications , Inc. Public Notice: 11/15/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a compliance plan by CAL Communications detailing the company's adherence to conditions imposed in the CAL Communications Forbearance Order for the provision of Lifeline service.
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  • PlatinumTel Communications, LLC Public Notice: 11/15/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a compliance plan filed by PlatinumTel detailing the company's adherence to conditions imposed in the PlatinumTel Forbearance Order for the provision of Lifeline service.
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  • Cintex Wireless, LLC Public Notice: 10/28/2011
    WCB seeks comment Cintex Wireless, LLC's petition for limited ETC designation for the provision of Lifeline and Link Up support in Alabama,Connecticut,Delaware,District of Columbia,Florida,New Hampshire,New York,North Carolina, Tennessee and Virgina.
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  • NE Colorado Cellular, d/b/a Viaero Wireless Public Notice: 10/27/2011
    Wireline Competition Bureau initiates a proceeding to consider a petition by NE Colorado Cellular, d/b/a Viaero Wireless seeking the Commission's agreement in redefining the service area of a rural telephone companies in Kansas.
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  • NTCH's Compliance Plan Public Notice: 10/25/2011
    Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a compliance plan filed by NTCH detailing the company’s adherence to conditions imposed in the NTCH Forbearance Order for the provision of Lifeline service.
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  • Recellular's Compliance Plan Public Notice: 10/25/2011
    Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a compliance plan filed by ReCellular detailing the company’s adherence to conditions imposed in the ReCellular Forbearance Order for the provision of Lifeline service.
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  • i-wireless, LLC Order: 10/21/2011
    Wireline Competition Bureau approves i-wireless's Compliance Plan detailing the company's adherence to conditions imposed in i-wireless's Forbearance Order for the provision of Lifeline service.
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  • Low Income Program Disbursement Public Notice: 10/20/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau announced the publication in the Federal Register of the Bureau’s September 23, 2011 public notice seeking comment on a proposal for disbursing USF low income support based on actual claims as opposed to projected claims for support.
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  • Cricket Communications, Inc. Public Notice: 10/5/2011
    Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a compliance plan filed by Cricket Communications for implementation of conditions for forbearance from the service area conformance requirement.
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  • PlatinumTel, LLC Order: 9/23/2011
    The Commission grants PlatinumTel, CAL Communications and ReCellular. forbearance from the facilities requirement of sec 214(e)(1)(A) of the Act and sec 54.201(d), (i) of the Commission’s rules for eligibility to be designated a limited ETC for Lifeline program.
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  • Low Income Disbursement Public Notice: 9/23/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a USAC proposal for disbursing USF low-income support based on ETC’s actual monthly support claims rather than projected monthly support claims.
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  • Budget Prepay, Inc. Public Notice: 9/20/2011
    Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Budget PrePay’s petition for ETC designation in Florida for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline and Link-Up service.
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  • Airvoice Wireless, LLC Public Notice: 9/20/2011
    Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition for forbearance from the facilities requirement for the purpose of participating in the Lifeline program filed by Airvoice.
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  • PlantinumTel Communications, LLC Public Notice: 9/20/2011
    Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on PlatinumTel’s petitions for limited ETC designation for the purpose of Lifeline and Link Up services in nine states and the District of Columbia.
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  • NTCH, Inc. and Cricket Communications, Inc. Order: 9/16/2011
    In this order, we address two petitions for forbearance, one filed by Cricket Communications, Inc. (Cricket) and one filed by NTCH, Inc. and its affiliated operating entity NTCH-West Tenn, Inc. (collectively, NTCH), pursuant to section 10 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act). These petitions seek forbearance from the requirement that the service area of a competitive eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) conform to the service area of any rural telephone company serving the same area, for the limited purpose of becoming designated as Lifeline-only ETCs.
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  • Lifeline and Link Up Protective Order: 8/25/2011
    In the Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission proposed rules to reform and modernize the low income support mechanism of the universal service fund.
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  • Lifeline/Link Up Public Notice: 8/5/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks additional targeted comment on issues raised in the Commission's Lifeline/Link Up Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
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  • Universal Service Intercarrier Compensation Transormation Public Notice: 8/3/2011
    In response to the USF/ICC Transformation NPRM, several parties have offered specific proposals for reform. We seek comment on how these proposals comport with the Commission’s articulated objectives and statutory requirements. We invite comment on specific aspects of the proposals and on additional issues that are not fully developed in the record.
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  • TracFone Wireless, Inc. Order: 8/2/2011
    In this order, we dismiss without prejudice a request filed by the Adams County E-911 Emergency Telephone Service Authority, the Arapahoe County E-911 Emergency Communication Service Authority, and the Jefferson County Emergency Communications Authority (collectively, the “Colorado 911 Authorities”) seeking Commission action pursuant to section 1.41 of the Commission’s rules. The Colorado 911 Authorities request that the Commission reject TracFone Wireless Inc.’s (TracFone) self-certification that it is in compliance with basic 911 and enhanced 911 (E911) requirements in the state of Colorado and compel TracFone to comply with Colorado law relating to 911 funding.
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  • American Broadband and Telecommunications Public Notice: 7/26/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the proposed compliance plan filed by American Broadband & Telecommunications (American Broadband). American Broadband seeks permission from the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) to become a Lifeline-only eligible telecommunications carriers (ETC) and has pending a petition seeking forbearance from the requirement that an ETC provides service, at least in part, over its own facilities. In granting similar forbearance petitions in the past, the Commission has required carriers to submit for approval a proposed compliance plan demonstrating how the carrier intended to satisfy conditions imposed by the Commission’s grant of forbearance for Lifeline-only support. In this case, although American Broadband’s forbearance petition remains pending, American Broadband separately submitted a proposed compliance plan intended to satisfy conditions imposed by the Commission on other non-facilities based carriers when granting similar forbearance requests.
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  • I-Wireless, LLC Public Notice: 7/5/2011
    WCB seeks comment on i-wireless, LLC.’s petition for ETC designation in Florida for the limited purpose of participating in the Lifeline program.
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  • CAL Communications, Inc. Order: 6/27/2011
    In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau extends by 90 days the date by which the petition requesting forbearance filed by CAL Communications, Inc shall be deemed granted in the absence of a Commission decision that the petition fails to meet the standards for forbearance.
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  • Standing Rock Telecommuncations, Inc. Memorandum Opinion and Order on Reconsideration: 6/22/2011
    In this order, we designate Standing Rock Telecommunications, Inc. (Standing Rock), a Tribally owned telecommunications carrier, as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) throughout the entire Standing Rock Sioux Reservation (Reservation), effective immediately.
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  • Nexus Communications, Inc. Public Notice: 6/22/2011
    WCB seeks comment on Nexus Communications, Inc.’s petition for limited ETC designation for the purpose of participating in the Lifeline and Link Up programs.
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  • Lifeline and Link Up Report and Order (Duplicative Payment Order): 6/21/2011
    This order takes action to address potential waste in the universal service Lifeline program by adopting near-term rules aimed at ensuring that qualified low income consumers receive no more than a single Lifeline benefit.
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  • Terracom, Inc. Public Notice: 6/20/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on June 13, 2011, by TerraCom, Inc (TerraCom). TerraCom seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline and Link-Up services to end-user customers in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
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  • Tag Mobile, LLC. Public Notice: 6/9/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on June 7, 2011, by TAG Mobile, LLC (TAG). TAG seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline and Link-Up services to end-user customers in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
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  • Total Call Mobile, Inc. Public Notice: 5/26/2011
    In this public notice, Total Call Mobile Inc. seeks forbearance from the facilities requirement to be designated an ETC for the limited purpose of Lifeline support.
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  • Cricket Forbearance 90 Day Extension: 5/16/2011
    In this order, pursuant to section 10(c) of the Communications Act, we extend by 90 days the date by which the petition requesting forbearance filed by Cricket Communications, Inc. shall be deemed granted in the absence of a Commission decision that the petition fails to meet the standards for forbearance under section 10(a) of the Act.
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  • Western Wireless Order: 5/12/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau approves the requests of Western Wireless, LLC, successor by merger of Western Wireless Corporation d/b/a Verizon Wireless (Western Wireless), to relinquish its eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designations in the state of Wyoming and on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
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  • AT&T Mobility Order: 5/12/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau addresses a petition filed by AT&T pursuant to section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act in which AT&T requests transfer of the eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designation held by Western Wireless, LLC d/b/a Alltel for service offered to Tribal members on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the state of South Dakota and designation as an ETC. The Bureau grants in part AT&T Mobility’s petition, finding that AT&T meets the eligibility requirements of section 214(e)(1) of the Act and the Commission’s rules to be designated as an ETC.
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  • Budget Prepay, Inc. Public Notice: 5/2/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on nine petitions filed by Budget PrePay, Inc. (Budget PrePay) on April 18, 2011. Budget PrePay seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline and Link-Up services to end-user customers in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
    Public Notice: Word | PDF
  • Nexus Communications, Inc. Public Notice: 5/2/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a Nexus Communications, Inc. (Nexus) petition filed on April 5, 2011. Nexus seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline and Link-Up services in the non-rural areas of Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
    Public Notice: Word | PDF
  • Annual Lifeline Verification Surveys and Certifications Public Notice: 4/28/2011
    This public notice serves as a reminder that an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) in a state with its own state-based low-income program must submit a certification, signed by an officer of the company, to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) by August 31, 2011, and ensure that USAC receives the certification by that date, attesting that the ETC has complied with the state verification procedures.
    Public Notice: Word | PDF
  • Millennium 2000, Inc. Public Notice: 4/27/2011
    Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on April 12, 2011 by Millennium 2000, Inc. (Millennium 2000), a mobile virtual network operator, for forbearance from the requirement in section 214(e)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, that eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) provide service, at least in part, over their own facilities.
    Public Notice: Word | PDF
  • American Broadband and Telecommunications Public Notice: 4/7/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on February 25, 2011, by American Broadband & Telecommunications for forbearance from the requirement that eligible telecommunications carriers provide service, at least in part, over their own facilities.
    Public Notice: Word | PDF
  • Universal Service Fund/Intercarrier Compensation Reform Workshop Public Notice: 3/30/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau announces the second in a series of workshops on universal service and intercarrier compensation reform. This workshop, to be held April 27, 2011, in Washington D.C., will focus on universal service reform proposals, including Phase One of the Connect America Fund.
    Order: Word | PDF
  • Line Up, LLC Public Notice: 3/30/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the petition of Line-Up, LLC for designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier under section 214(e)(6) of the Act.
    Order: Word | PDF
  • Airvoice Wireless LLC Withdrawal Order: 3/24/2011
    In this order the Bureau grants Airvoice’s request to withdraw its forbearance petition that sought forbearance from section 214(e)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, in order to seek designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for the sole purpose of participating in the universal service fund Lifeline program.
    Order: Word | PDF
  • NTCH, Inc. Public Notice: 3/16/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by NTCH, Inc. on behalf of itself and its affiliate WGH Communications, Inc. (collectively, NTCH).
    Public Notice: Word | PDF
  • OneLink Wireless, Inc. Public Notice: 3/8/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by OneLink Wireless, Inc. (OneLink) seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline and Link-Up services to end-user customers in Alabama, New York, North Carolina and Virginia.
    Public Notice: Word | PDF
  • Lifeline and Link Reform and Modernization NPRM: 3/4/11
    This NPRM takes steps to comprehensively reform and modernize the Lifeline/Link Up program for 21st century communications needs building on recommendations of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, the Government Accountability Office, and the National Broadband Plan. The reforms will set the program on a firmer footing, establishing greater accountability and ensuring that millions of low-income Americans continue to receive affordable phone service while using savings from reforms to fund pilot programs for broadband.
    NPRM: Word | PDF
  • Connect America Fund NPRM: 2/9/2011
    In this NPRM, the Commission proposes to transform the high-cost portion of the Universal Service Fund to support broadband, as well as to reform the intercarrier compensation system.
    NPRM: Word | PDF
  • WCB Guidance Letter: 1/21/2011
    The Wireline Competition Bureau provides guidance to USAC on duplicate claims for Lifeline support.
    Letter: Word | PDF
  • TracFone Order: 1/14/2011
    This order denies a petition for waiver filed by TracFone seeking to modify the compliance plan condition that it require each of its Lifeline customers to self-certify annually that they are the head of their household and receive Lifeline-supported service only from TracFone.
    Order: Word | PDF
  • Boomerang Wireless, LLC Public Notice: 1/6/2011
    Boomerang Wireless, LLC is seeking designation as an ETC for the limited purpose of participating in the universal service low-income Lifeline program.
    Order: Word | PDF
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