On July 2, 2021, the FCC released a report summarizing the state of the Lifeline marketplace and identified areas for future Commission consideration regarding the Lifeline program.
The report addresses accessible devices and plans for individuals with disabilities. Among other issues discussed, the report states that the Commission may wish to consider:
- Whether Lifeline providers should provide devices that are accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.
- Ways to tailor Lifeline broadband support that accounts for disability needs, such as data-intensive video communications (like Video Relay Service) or increased broadband speed for real-time apps such as certain relay services.
Links to Report:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/bureau-releases-report-state-lifeline-marketplace
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-373779A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-373779A1.txt
For general information about Lifeline, visit: https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers. For further information about this report, please contact Allison Jones, Attorney-Advisor, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-1571 or by email at Allison.Jones@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).