[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 248 (Friday, December 27, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71338-71347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27221]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 54

[WC Docket Nos. 17-287, 11-42 and 09-197; FCC 19-111; FRS 16301]


Bridging the Digital Divide for Low-Income Consumers

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission 
(Commission) seeks comment on adding a goal of broadband adoption to 
the Lifeline program, making additional program integrity improvements 
to the program, and establishing privacy training requirements for 
entities accessing Lifeline subscribers' personal information.

DATES: Comments are due on or before January 27, 2020 and reply 
comments are due on or before February 25, 2020. If you anticipate that 
you will be submitting comments but find it difficult to do so within 
the period of time allowed by this document, you should advise the 
contact listed as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may file comments and reply comments, 
identified by WC Docket Nos. 17-287, 11-42 and 09-197, by any of the 
following methods:
     Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically 
using the internet by accessing the Commission's Electronic Comment 
Filing System ECFS: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/.
     Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must 
file an original and one copy of each filing. If more than one docket 
or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers 
must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or 
rulemaking number.
    Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial 
overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service 
mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, 
Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
     All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings 
for the Commission's Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 
445 12th Street SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing 
hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held 
together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must 
be disposed of before entering the building.
     Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service 
Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, 
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.
     U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority 
mail must be addressed to 445 12th Street SW, Washington DC 20554.
    Availability of Documents. Comments, reply comments, and ex parte 
submissions will be publicly available online via ECFS. These documents 
will also be available for public inspection during regular business 
hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, which is located in Room 
CYA257 at FCC Headquarters, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554. 
The Reference Information Center is open to the public Monday through 
Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 
a.m.
    People with Disabilities. To request materials in accessible 
formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic 
files, audio format), send an email to [email protected] or call the 
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-
418-0432 (tty).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jodie Griffin, Wireline Competition 
Bureau, 202-418-7550 or TTY: 202-418-0484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) of the Fifth Report and 
Order, Memorandum Opinion and Order and Order on Reconsideration, and 
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in WC Docket Nos. 17-287, 11-42 
and 09-197; FCC 19-111 adopted October 30, 2019 and released November 
14, 2019. The full text of this document is available for public 
inspection during regular business hours in the FCC Reference Center, 
Room CY-A257, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554 or at the 
following internet address: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-19-111A1.pdf.

Synopsis

I. Introduction

    1. For years, the Commission has been taking steps to address 
waste, fraud, and abuse in the program, including through the 
establishment of a National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier. The 
Commission continues that work to strengthen the Lifeline program. 
Specifically, seeking comments on appropriate program goals and metrics 
for a modernized Lifeline

[[Page 71339]]

program and additional improvements to program integrity.

II. Discussion

    2. The Commission seeks comments on continuing to improve the 
operation and oversight of the Lifeline program; seeks comments on 
adding the goal of increasing broadband adoption for consumers who 
would not otherwise subscribe to broadband as one of the Lifeline 
program's goals and also seeks comments on making additional program 
integrity improvements to the program and establishing privacy training 
requirements for entities accessing personal information in the NLAD.
    3. Program Goals and Metrics. In the 2017 Lifeline Order (FCC 17-
155), the Commission concurred with the Government Accountability 
Office (GAO) and past Commissions that outcome-based performance goals 
and measures would help to achieve Congress's universal service goals. 
The Commission now seeks comments on whether the Lifeline program's 
current goals adequately reflect the importance of measuring the 
program's impact on adoption and continued connectivity, and how the 
program's goals can be improved.
    4. Increasing Broadband Adoption Among Consumers. The Commission 
seeks comments on adding a new goal to the program: increased broadband 
adoption for consumers who, without a Lifeline benefit, would not 
subscribe to broadband. Believing that broadband adoption, and the 
impact it will have on closing the digital divide, should be a focus of 
the Lifeline program. Increasing broadband adoption as a goal will help 
to ensure that Lifeline funds are appropriately targeted toward 
bridging the digital divide. To achieve this goal, requires the 
Commission to accurately evaluate the impact of Lifeline funds on 
broadband adoption.
    5. The Commission first seeks comments on our authority to adopt as 
a goal of the Lifeline program increasing broadband adoption for 
consumers who otherwise would not subscribe to broadband. Is such a 
goal a component of preserving and advancing universal service, as 
directed by section 254(b) of the Act? How would this goal relate to 
the principles of promoting the availability of quality services at 
just, reasonable, and affordable rates and promoting access to 
reasonably comparable telecommunications and information services for 
low-income consumers?
    6. The Commission next seeks comments on the appropriate method of 
measuring broadband adoption by low-income consumers. As GAO noted in 
its report, the current structure of the Lifeline program ``ma[kes] it 
difficult for the [C]ommission to determine causal connections between 
the program and the number of individuals with telephone access.'' The 
Commission seeks to alter that structure as it relates to broadband, to 
ensure that Lifeline funds are being used effectively to help close the 
digital divide by encouraging broadband adoption by households that 
otherwise would not subscribe to the supported service, and seeking 
comment on the best way to accomplish this.
    7. The Commission seeks comments on the best data sources to help 
measure adoption progress. The Commission proposes to ask Lifeline 
applicants questions in the enrollment process regarding how the 
program has impacted their broadband adoption, and to seek comments on 
what those specific questions should be. For example, should the 
Commission ask Lifeline applicants whether they already subscribe to 
voice or broadband service, and whether they would be able to afford 
their Lifeline-supported service without the Lifeline discount? Also, 
should the Commission add questions to determine whether the Lifeline 
program is effectively reaching specific demographics, like veterans or 
households with children?
    8. Instead of or in addition to seeking information directly from 
Lifeline applicants, what other methods and data can be explored to 
determine the impact of the Lifeline benefit on broadband adoption? 
Should the Commission rely on other Commission reports or data sources? 
For purposes of this goal, how should the Commission identify low-
income consumers or areas if other Commission reports or data sources 
are used? The Commission also seeks comments on how best to measure the 
impact of Lifeline on broadband adoption for groups of consumers.
    9. When determining whether the program's goals are being met, 
should the evaluation consider fixed and mobile broadband services 
differently? In the annual report required by section 706 of the Act, 
the Commission reports data on fixed and mobile broadband separately 
and recognizes variations in speed and other characteristics. How 
should consideration of these goals for the Lifeline program be 
impacted by the similarities and differences between fixed and mobile 
broadband?
    10. When measuring broadband adoption, the Commission proposes 
examining the effectiveness of the Lifeline program by recognizing that 
Lifeline-supported broadband internet access service and some other 
forms of broadband internet access service are, to various extents, 
substitutable. For example, some Lifeline consumers may value broadband 
access so highly that they would purchase some level of broadband 
service even in the absence of a Lifeline benefit. Other consumers who 
currently use a Lifeline-supported broadband internet access service 
would prefer to not purchase broadband internet access service (or 
purchase broadband access intermittently) without Lifeline support. 
Finally, some consumers currently do not subscribe to any broadband 
internet access service at all. In this context, how can the Commission 
identify, measure, and analyze the effect of the Lifeline program on 
increasing broadband adoption? Is the degree of substitution between 
Lifeline-supported and unsupported broadband internet access service 
affected by the characteristics of Lifeline service (such as download 
speeds, data caps, etc.) of the Lifeline-supported broadband internet 
access service? The Commission also seeks comments on additional 
criteria to consider during evaluating the program's impact on 
broadband adoption.
    11. Additional Program Integrity Recommendations. In the 2017 
Lifeline Order, the Commission sought comment on potential changes that 
would help eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse within the Lifeline 
program. The Commission also proposes additional requirements that will 
help the Commission, and ETCs, achieve that goal. First, the Commission 
proposes requiring ETCs to upload their internal customer account 
numbers into the NLAD in order to help USAC match its records with 
those of the ETC. Second, the Commission proposes requiring ETCs and 
the National Verifier to record and retain a Lifeline applicant's 
eligibility proof number and the type of proof the applicant used to 
qualify for the program. Lastly, the Commission proposes requiring ETCs 
to provide the NLAD or National Verifier with access to the same data 
maintained by the ETC, including non-usage data and the time the 
customer enrolled. The Commission also seeks comments on the best ways 
to ensure that consumer usage is accurately measured and defined.
    12. Internal Customer Account Numbers. When examining data to 
determine if improper payments were made, USAC often needs to examine 
an ETC's data. However, the internal number that an ETC uses to 
identify a subscriber in its own service and billing records is 
currently not entered into the NLAD. As a result, it may be difficult 
for

[[Page 71340]]

USAC or enforcement authorities, such as the Commission, the U.S. 
Department of Justice, or state public service commissions, to compare 
an ETC's records with USAC's NLAD or reimbursement records because it 
can be difficult to locate an individual subscriber's records. 
Accordingly, the Commission proposes amending Sec.  54.404(b) of the 
Commission's rules to require ETCs to submit their internal customer 
account numbers into the NLAD when enrolling or recertifying 
subscribers. Concluding that this will facilitate examination of 
relevant data, and therefore help to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. 
The Commission seeks comments on this proposal including its costs and 
benefits.
    13. Eligibility Proof Number and Type. The Commission also seeks 
comments on improving the information collected during the process of 
manually reviewing eligibility documentation for those applicants whose 
eligibility cannot be confirmed by an automated data source. In 2016, 
the Commission determined that a provider had been using ``temporary 
SNAP cards to enroll consumers because these cards did not include the 
actual benefit recipient's name,'' and repeatedly used the same program 
eligibility card to enroll multiple applicants. The Commission believes 
that requiring ETCs and the National Verifier to track both the 
eligibility proof number and the type of eligibility proof will enable 
both ETCs and the National Verifier to quickly determine if improper 
enrollment techniques are being used. Therefore, the Commission 
proposes amending Sec. Sec.  54.404(b) and 54.410(d) of the 
Commission's rules to require that where the applicant provides 
eligibility documentation, ETCs and the National Verifier shall collect 
and record the identification number or card number indicated on the 
eligibility documentation (e.g., the SNAP card number or Medicaid card 
number) and the type of eligibility proof used by an applicant to 
demonstrate eligibility for the Lifeline program. The proposal would 
not apply where an applicant's eligibility is verified through an 
automated database. The Commission seeks comments on the proposed 
requirement, including its costs and benefits.
    14. Demonstrating Compliance with Usage Requirements. The 
Commission seeks comments on ways to ensure the accuracy of ETCs' 
claims that subscribers are actually using their broadband internet 
access service on an ongoing basis. The current usage rules require 
subscribers receiving a free-to-the-end-user Lifeline service to use 
the service every 30 days by, among other ways, using broadband data. 
Given this requirement, would it be possible for an ETC to evade our 
30-day usage requirement by installing an application (``app'') on a 
user's phone that would ``use'' data without any action by the user? 
Even if such data usage would not meet the requirement that qualifying 
usage be ``undertaken by the subscriber,'' there is concern that it 
would be difficult to differentiate legitimate subscriber usage from 
ETC-arranged data usage that happens without the knowledge or direction 
of the subscriber in an audit or enforcement investigation. Could an 
ETC thus fabricate usage data to continue claiming support for a 
Lifeline subscriber who is no longer using the service?
    15. The Commission seeks comments on how to amend its rules to 
address this vulnerability. Would requiring subscribers to periodically 
contact USAC remedy this issue? Would requiring subscribers to use an 
app to confirm continued usage be a sufficient and user-friendly 
solution? What would such an app look like, and how could the 
Commission ensure that such an app would not ``use'' data without any 
activity from the user? The other types of ``usage'' under the 
Commission's rules all require an affirmative act by the user, and the 
Commission seeks comments on what other options would guarantee that 
``usage of data'' is understood to mean ``usage of data initiated by 
the Lifeline subscriber.'' Does the Commission have the authority to 
prohibit ETCs from installing an app that ``uses'' data without 
direction from the subscriber? The Commission also seek comments on any 
potential privacy implications of modifying the usage requirement or 
requiring the installation of a specific app or method of usage. 
Finally, the Commission seeks comments on the costs of these proposals 
and on how to minimize the burden on consumers and ETCs of verifying 
legitimate monthly usage.
    16. The Commission also seeks comments on amending Sec.  54.417 of 
the Commission's rules to clarify an ETC's obligation to maintain 
records that document compliance with the usage requirement. The 
current rule requires ETCs to ``maintain records to document compliance 
with all Commission and state requirements governing the Lifeline and 
Tribal Link Up program for three full preceding calendar years and 
provide that documentation to the Commission or Administrator upon 
request.'' While the rule already applies to the usage requirement in 
Sec. Sec.  54.405(e)(3) and 54.407(c) of the Commission's rules, 
comments are sought on whether a more detailed explanation of what 
documentation ETCs must maintain in the context of the non-usage 
requirement would provide certainty to ETCs. If the Commission amended 
Sec.  54.417 to give more specific guidance on document retention in 
the context of the usage requirement, what documentation should ETCs be 
required to maintain to show that data usage is ``undertaken by the 
subscriber,'' and not by the ETC, as the Commission's rules require? 
What are the costs and benefits of specifically requiring ETCs to 
maintain detailed data usage records, which could be examined to reveal 
any trends that reveal indications of potential usage fabrication (for 
example, an account that only uses data once every 30 days, at 2:00 
a.m.)? Should such usage data be maintained for the same general 
timeframe as other compliance documentation under Sec.  54.417 of the 
Commission's rules? In adopting such a requirement, how can the 
Commission best safeguard Lifeline subscribers' privacy? For example, 
should the Commission require certain security practices for the 
collection, retention, and management of this information, or are 
existing ETC security and privacy practices sufficient in this regard?
    17. De-enrollment Process. The Commission seeks comments on 
amending Sec.  54.405(e)(1) of the Commission's rules to clarify ETCs' 
obligation to act promptly to notify subscribers when the ETC has 
reason to believe that the subscriber is not eligible for the Lifeline 
program. Currently, the rule provides the subscriber 30 days to 
demonstrate continued eligibility and a five-business-day de-enrollment 
period if the subscriber fails to demonstrate her eligibility. However, 
the rule does not specify how quickly the ETC must act to send the 
subscriber the written notice that begins the 30-day period once it has 
reason to believe the subscriber is not eligible for the Lifeline 
benefit. The Commission seeks comments on implementing a firm deadline 
to ensure that ETCs do not unreasonably delay in sending the 30-day 
notice. Should the Commission amend Sec.  54.405(e)(1) of the rules to 
require ETCs to send written notice to the subscriber no later than 
five business days after the ETC has a reasonable basis to believe the 
subscriber is no longer eligible for Lifeline service? Would amending 
the rule to allow the ETC five business days to send the 30-day de-
enrollment notice be sufficient? The Commission also seeks comments on 
how the rule should apply to states in which the National

[[Page 71341]]

Verifier has launched. In those states, should the ETC instead be 
required to notify the National Verifier of its reason to believe that 
the subscriber is not eligible, upon which notice the National Verifier 
can conduct any necessary outreach and de-enrollments?
    18. The Commission also seeks comments on amending Sec.  54.405 of 
the Commission's rules to codify the de-enrollment process when the de-
enrollment is conducted by USAC under its authority as administrator of 
the Fund. Should the de-enrollment procedures operate differently when 
USAC de-enrolls a subscriber from the NLAD, pursuant to an ETC's 
request or a program integrity review, under its authority as 
administrator or the Fund? Should USAC continue to rely on the ETC to 
conduct subscriber outreach for program integrity reviews, and if so, 
should the Commission's rules specifically direct USAC to de-enroll or 
deny reimbursement for those subscribers if the ETC is nonresponsive or 
delayed in its response? How should the Commission ensure that 
subscribers are given an opportunity to demonstrate continued 
eligibility before being de-enrolled? Are there any other 
clarifications the Commission should make to its de-enrollment rules?
    19. Distribution of Free Handsets. Lifeline providers often offer a 
free handset with the activation of Lifeline service. Many of the ETCs 
offering free handsets also provide Lifeline service that is free to 
the subscriber where there is no regular billing relationship between 
the subscriber and the ETC. Often the device is handed directly to the 
consumer at enrollment without requiring any payment by the consumer, 
and this practice has been the subject of reports that focus on 
ineligible consumers enrolling in Lifeline. For example, undercover 
local news teams have reported that they were able to obtain a free 
cell phone even when the undercover reporter was not eligible for the 
Lifeline service. In the 2017 Lifeline Order and Notice and in response 
to Lifeline stakeholder suggestions, the Commission asked whether it 
should prohibit Lifeline providers from distributing handsets in 
person. The Commission now asks for further focused comments on the 
practice of in-person distribution of free handsets and its possible 
role in encouraging ineligible Lifeline customers to attempt to enroll 
in the program.
    20. In response to the 2017 Lifeline Order and Notice, some 
commenters argue that in-person distribution of free handsets benefits 
low-income and vulnerable Lifeline customers, such as those that are 
homeless or otherwise displaced. Others note that banning in-person 
free handset distribution ``would be well worth the program's 
substantial gain in controls and, in turn, credibility that would 
result from implementation of this measure . . .'' While the Commission 
does not suggest that every ETC that distributes free handsets in this 
manner is engaging in or encouraging fraudulent behavior, our oversight 
experience suggests that the practice encourages ineligible consumers 
to attempt to enroll in Lifeline. The Commission seeks comments on ways 
to minimize the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse stemming from the in-
person distribution of free handsets upon enrollment in the Lifeline 
program.
    21. The Commission seeks comments on requiring ETCs to charge 
Lifeline subscribers a fee in exchange for receiving a handset or 
device in-person at enrollment. How prevalent is the in-person 
distribution of free handsets today? Is this practice primarily 
associated with free-to-the-end-user Lifeline plans? Would such a 
restriction eliminate incentives for ineligible consumers to attempt to 
enroll in Lifeline? Does the promise of an immediate free phone along 
with a free service provide improper incentives to potential 
subscribers? The Lifeline program currently does not provide support 
for equipment used with the supported service. Does the Commission have 
the statutory authority to prohibit ETCs from distributing free 
handsets to Lifeline subscribers or otherwise regulate the distribution 
of handsets to ETCs?
    22. Does the long-standing restriction on using the Lifeline 
subsidy for equipment support a new requirement that all Lifeline 
subscribers must pay a fee for the cost of the handsets used to provide 
the supported service? What are the costs and benefits of such a 
requirement? Would delaying the distribution of free handsets, or 
allowing the in-person distribution of handsets only to Lifeline 
subscribers who, either up front or through a payment plan, have paid 
an end-user fee, help eliminate fraud within the program? Would such 
requirements discourage participation in the program by eligible 
subscribers? What would be the impact on broadband adoption if Lifeline 
subscribers had to pay a fee in exchange for a handset? What sources of 
data or industry studies could be helpful to estimate the magnitude of 
these effects? How should the Commission evaluate the savings to the 
Universal Service Fund from reduced waste, fraud, and abuse against the 
lower consumer benefits to Lifeline subscribers who would no longer 
subscribe because of an increased cost to the customer? Would a charge 
for the handset ensure that the carriers are providing handsets that 
customers value? Would the potential program integrity and consumer 
benefits of requiring ETCs to charge Lifeline subscribers for handsets 
distributed in person outweigh any potential burdens to ETCs and 
Lifeline subscribers?
    23. The Commission recognizes that many other activities, such as 
in-person training on how to use the handset, occur between the ETC and 
the subscriber at enrollment. How would limitations on the distribution 
of free handsets impact these other activities? Are there other changes 
that could be made to this practice that would eliminate opportunities 
for fraud while ensuring that customers have access to affordable 
handsets?
    24. The Commission and USAC have made a number of important changes 
to the Lifeline program and its administrative systems to reduce waste, 
fraud, and abuse, including a duplicate check with the NLAD and 
implementation of the National Verifier to make eligibility 
determinations. Has the implementation of the NLAD and recent changes 
to the Lifeline rules (including the requirement to retain eligibility 
documents) reduced the opportunities for fraud that were associated 
with the distribution of free handsets? Will the National Verifier 
further reduce the opportunities for fraud associated with this 
practice? Do any of these program or system changes reduce the risk of 
problems associated with in-person distribution of free handsets and 
obviate any need to require ETCs to charge a fee for receiving a 
handset at an in-person enrollment or for the Commission to place other 
restrictions on this practice?
    25. In 2012, the Commission eliminated a rule requiring that ETCs 
charge Tribal Lifeline customers a minimum of $1 per month. The 
Commission acknowledged that while the rule had specified the minimum 
charge, carriers were not required to collect the amount from 
customers, and some did not. What lessons should the Commission learn 
from the now eliminated $1 minimum service charge for Tribal Lifeline 
customers? If the Commission were to require ETCs to charge Lifeline 
subscribers a nominal fee for handsets distributed in person, is there 
a significant risk that ETCs would not actually collect that fee from 
Lifeline subscribers? How would the requirements be designed to address 
that risk?

[[Page 71342]]

    26. The Commission further notes that, in the 2017 Lifeline Order 
and Notice, comments were sought on whether it should impose a maximum 
discount level for Lifeline services, which would require customers to 
pay a portion of the costs of the supported service. There, the 
Commission proposed to adopt a maximum discount level as a way to 
further reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the program. The Commission 
reasoned that under the current model where providers offer ``free-to-
the-end-user'' Lifeline service, ``service providers may engage in 
fraud or abuse by using no-cost Lifeline offerings to increase their 
Lifeline customer numbers when the customers do not value or may not 
even realize they are purportedly receiving a Lifeline-supported 
service.'' Would requiring that ETCs charge Lifeline customers a fee in 
exchange for a handset constitute a minimum charge for Lifeline 
service? Alternatively, would requiring ETCs to assess a regular fee on 
subscribers for the Lifeline supported service mitigate any problems 
associated with providing in-person free handsets?
    27. Certifying Privacy Protection Efforts. The Commission seeks 
comments on two issues that are expected to address open 
recommendations made by the Commission's Office of Inspector General 
(OIG) following its review of USAC's NLAD implementation in 2018. The 
first is a recommendation to require ETCs and state agencies with 
access to the USAC NLAD and National Verifier systems to certify that 
they have given their employees and enrollment representatives 
appropriate privacy training before those individuals may access the 
NLAD or National Verifier systems. The Commission believes that such a 
training and certification requirement would reduce the possibility 
that Lifeline subscribers' personal information would be accessed, 
used, or disclosed inappropriately. In response to a second 
recommendation from the Commission's OIG, the Commission seeks comments 
on whether state commissions and ETCs conduct background investigations 
of their staff that access USAC's systems, the nature of those 
investigations, and whether the Commission should require that state 
commissions and ETCs certify that they complete such investigations.
    28. In an effort to ensure that Lifeline subscribers' personal 
information is kept private and secure, the Commission has repeatedly 
directed USAC to implement strict standards regarding how it handles 
and gives external access to the Lifeline subscriber data that it 
receives as the administrator of the Lifeline program. The Commission 
has not, however, specifically required ETCs and state agencies to 
train their personnel regarding appropriate privacy precautions for 
accessing and handling personal information. A lack of such a training 
requirement could result in employees and enrollment representatives of 
ETCs or state agencies accessing highly sensitive information about 
Lifeline applicants or subscribers without having received sufficient 
instruction in the appropriate use and disposal of those data. The 
Commission therefore proposes and seeks comments on requiring ETCs and 
state agencies with access to the USAC NLAD and National Verifier 
systems to certify that they have given their employees and enrollment 
representatives appropriate privacy training.
    29. Outside of the Lifeline context, Commission rules governing 
customer proprietary network information (CPNI) already require 
telecommunications carriers to ``train their personnel as to when they 
are and are not authorized to use CPNI, and carriers must have an 
express disciplinary process in place.'' Additionally, 
telecommunications carriers must have an officer annually certify a 
carrier's compliance with the Commission's CPNI rules. In considering a 
training and certification requirement for entities with NLAD and 
National Verifier access, the Commission seeks comments on the 
sufficiency of an ETC's CPNI certification to cover the effective 
training of their staff accessing these systems. The Commission also 
seeks comments on the scope and focus of existing ETC training programs 
and whether they address any unique personal information issues that 
arise when submitting Lifeline information to USAC that are not 
adequately addressed by the CPNI rules. Is there a need for a Lifeline-
specific rule mandating training beyond what is put forward in the 
Commission's CPNI rules? Further, the Commission seeks comments on the 
scope of ETCs' existing training programs and whether they include 
contractors, sub-contractors, enrollment representatives, and other 
individuals that might interact with personal information being used in 
NLAD or the National Verifier.
    30. The Commission also seeks comments on the availability of 
existing privacy training resources for state agencies that have access 
to personal data in the NLAD or National Verifier. Are there existing 
state agency privacy training programs that would satisfy the same 
purposes of a Lifeline-specific privacy training? Should state 
agencies' privacy training cover the same type of data protection 
standards as would be required by telecommunications carriers under the 
Commission's CPNI rules? If not, how should the training differ?
    31. The Commission also seeks comments on how a privacy training 
and certification requirement, if any, should be implemented. Should 
USAC conduct the training directly, or make a training available if an 
ETC or state agency does not conduct its own? The Commission proposes 
requiring ETCs and state agencies to certify in their NLAD and National 
Verifier access agreements that they have implemented compliant 
training programs or require their relevant employees and enrollment 
representatives to complete USAC's training prior to using USAC's 
system to access Lifeline applicant or subscriber personal information, 
and the Commission seeks comments on this approach.
    32. Finally, to further confirm that Lifeline subscriber's personal 
information is appropriately protected, the Commission seeks comments 
on a proposal to require state commissions and ETCs to provide written 
confirmation that they have conducted background investigations of 
their staff with access to the NLAD or National Verifier systems. Do 
state commissions and ETCs already complete background investigations 
for staff members with access to NLAD or the National Verifier? Do 
state commissions and ETCs conduct similar investigations for agents, 
contractors, and other non-employees that might handle Lifeline 
subscriber data and interact with NLAD or the National Verifier? How 
are these investigations documented, and would providing written 
confirmation to USAC of these investigations be feasible and reliable? 
The Commission also seeks comments on the burdens of such a requirement 
beyond the steps that state commissions and ETCs may already be taking. 
Would those burdens be outweighed by reduced waste, fraud, and abuse in 
the Lifeline program?

III. Procedural Matters

A. Initial Paperwork Reduction Act Analysis

    33. This document contains proposed modified information collection 
requirements. The Commission, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork burdens, invites the general public and the OMB to 
comment on the information collection requirements contained in this 
document, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public 
Law 104-13. In addition,

[[Page 71343]]

pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 
107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4), the Commission seeks specific 
comments on how we might further reduce the information collection 
burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
    34. Ex Parte Rules--Permit-But-Disclose. The proceeding the FNPRM 
initiates shall be treated as a ``permit-but-disclose'' proceeding in 
accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules. Persons making ex 
parte presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a 
memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days 
after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the 
Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral ex parte presentations 
are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must (1) list 
all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at 
which the ex parte presentation was made, and (2) summarize all data 
presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the 
presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data 
or arguments already reflected in the presenter's written comments, 
memoranda, or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may 
provide citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior 
comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page 
and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in 
lieu of summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to 
Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex 
parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b). 
In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has 
made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte 
presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, 
and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic 
comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed 
in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). 
Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the 
Commission's ex parte rules.

B. Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    35. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as 
amended (RFA), the Commission has prepared this Initial Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) of the possible significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities from the policies and rules 
proposed in this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). The 
Commission requests written public comment on this IRFA. Comments must 
be identified as responses to the IRFA and must be filed by the 
comments deadline dates. The Commission will send a copy of the FNPRM, 
including this IRFA, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small 
Business Administration (SBA). In addition, the FNPRM and IRFA (or 
summaries thereof) will be published in the Federal Register.
    36. Need for, and Objective of, the Proposed Rules. The Commission 
is required by section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934, as 
amended, to promulgate rules to implement the universal service 
provisions of section 254. The Lifeline program was implemented in 1985 
in the wake of the 1984 divestiture of AT&T. On May 8, 1997, the 
Commission adopted rules to reform its system of universal service 
support mechanisms so that universal service is preserved and advanced 
as markets move toward competition. The Lifeline program is 
administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), 
the Administrator of the universal service support programs, under 
Commission direction, although many key attributes of the Lifeline 
program are currently implemented at the state level, including 
consumer eligibility, eligible telecommunication carrier (ETC) 
designations, outreach, and verification. Lifeline support is passed on 
to the subscriber by the ETC, which provides discounts to eligible 
households and receives reimbursement from the universal service fund 
(USF or Fund) for the provision of such discounts.
    37. In the 2017 Lifeline Order and Notice, the Commission sought 
comment on a number of proposals that were intended to improve the 
integrity of the program. Many of those proposals were adopted in the 
Fifth Report and Order. Building on those efforts, in the FNPRM, the 
Commission seeks comment on revising the goals of the Lifeline program 
and how to measure the program's achievements with respect to broadband 
adoption. The Commission also seeks comment on its proposal to require 
ETCs, USAC, and the National Verifier, as appropriate, to recertify 
each Lifeline subscriber's eligibility once every 12 months, as 
measured from the subscriber's service initiation date. The Commission 
also proposes a number of changes designed to improve integrity of the 
Lifeline program.
    38. Legal Basis. The legal basis for the Further Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking is contained in sections 1 through 4, 201-205, 254, and 403 
of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications 
Act of 1996, 47 U.S.C. 151 through 154, 201 through 205, 254, and 403.
    39. Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to 
Which the Proposed Rules Will Apply. The RFA directs agencies to 
provide a description of and, where feasible, an estimate of the number 
of small entities that may be affected by the proposed rules, if 
adopted. The RFA generally defines the term ``small entity'' as having 
the same meaning as the terms ``small business,'' ``small 
organization,'' and ``small governmental jurisdiction.'' In addition, 
the term ``small business'' has the same meaning as the term ``small 
business concern'' under the Small Business Act. A small business 
concern is one that: (1) Is independently owned and operated; (2) is 
not dominant in its field of operation; and (3) satisfies any 
additional criteria established by the Small Business Administration 
(SBA). Nationwide, there are a total of approximately 29.6 million 
small businesses, according to the SBA. A ``small organization'' is 
generally ``any not-for-profit enterprise which is independently owned 
and operated and is not dominant in its field.''
    40. Small Businesses, Small Organizations, Small Governmental 
Jurisdictions. The Commissions actions, over time, may affect small 
entities that are not easily categorized at present. Therefore 
described, at the outset, three broad groups of small entities that 
could be directly affected herein. First, while there are industry 
specific size standards for small businesses that are used in the 
regulatory flexibility analysis, according to data from the SBA's 
Office of Advocacy, in general a small business is an independent 
business having fewer than 500 employees. These types of small 
businesses represent 99.9% of all businesses in the United States which 
translates to 29.6 million businesses.
    41. Next, the type of small entity described as a ``small 
organization'' is generally ``any not-for-profit enterprise which is 
independently owned and operated and is not dominant in its field.'' 
Nationwide, as of August 2016, there were approximately 356,494 small 
organizations based on registration and tax data filed by nonprofits 
with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
    42. Finally, the small entity described as a ``small governmental 
jurisdiction'' is defined generally as ``governments of cities, 
counties, towns, townships,

[[Page 71344]]

villages, school districts, or special districts, with a population of 
less than fifty thousand.'' U.S. Census Bureau data from the 2012 
Census of Governments indicates that there were 90,056 local 
governmental jurisdictions consisting of general purpose governments 
and special purpose governments in the United States. Of this number 
there were 37,132 general purpose governments (county, municipal and 
town or township) with populations of less than 50,000 and 12,184 
special purpose governments (independent school districts and special 
districts) with populations of less than 50,000. The 2012 U.S. Census 
Bureau data for most types of governments in the local government 
category show that the majority of these governments have populations 
of less than 50,000. Based on this data we estimate that at least 
49,316 local government jurisdictions fall in the category of ``small 
governmental jurisdictions.'' The small entities that may be affected 
include Wireline Providers, Wireless Carriers and Service Providers, 
and Interment Service Providers.
    43. Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other 
Compliance Requirements for Small Entities. In the FNPRM, the 
Commission seeks comments on modifying its goals for the Lifeline and 
on proposed reforms of the program that are intended to improve the 
integrity of the program by further eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse 
in the program.
    44. Increased Broadband Adoption as a New Program Goal. In the 
FNPRM, the Commission seeks comments on adding a new goal to the 
program: Increased broadband adoption among consumers who otherwise, 
without a Lifeline benefit, would not subscribe to broadband. The 
Commission seeks comments on its authority to adopt as a goal of the 
Lifeline program increasing broadband adoption for consumers who 
otherwise would not subscribe to broadband. The Commission also seeks 
comments on the appropriate method for measuring broadband adoption 
among consumers who otherwise would not subscribe to broadband. The 
Commission asks which data sources could help inform the Commission's 
measurement of the goals and asks whether there are additional 
questions that can be asked of Lifeline applicants during the 
enrollment process regarding how the program has impacted their 
broadband adoption. Should the Commission also add questions to 
determine whether Lifeline is effectively reaching specific 
demographics, like veterans or households with children? The Commission 
seeks comments on what other methods can be used to determine the 
impact of the Lifeline benefit on broadband adoption, and whether the 
Commission should reply on Commission reports or other data sources. 
Furthermore, for the purposes of this goal, the Commission asks how it 
should identify low-income consumers or areas if other Commission 
reports or data sources are used. The Commission also asks how it 
should define broadband and whether its evaluation of this goal 
consider fixed and mobile broadband differently. The Commission also 
asks whether this goal should also measure adoption of voice service 
from consumers who would not otherwise have it. The Commission also 
proposes to examine Lifeline's impact across several categories of 
consumers, from those that value broadband so highly that they would 
purchase it even without a Lifeline benefit, to those that may 
currently use a Lifeline-supported broadband internet access service 
but would lose access to that serve or only purchase broadband 
intermittently without Lifeline support. The Commission also wishes to 
examine those that do not subscribe to any broadband internet access 
service at all. The Commission asks how to identify, measure, and 
analyze adoption among each of these groups, and how would it inform 
whether the Lifeline program is meeting the goal of increasing 
broadband adoption? The Commission seeks comments on any additional 
criteria to consider when evaluating the program's impact on broadband 
adoption among consumers.
    45. Upload Internal Customer Accounts and Eligibility Proof Number 
and Type. The Commission proposes to amend Sec.  54.404(b) of the rules 
to require ETCs to upload their internal customer account numbers into 
the NLAD when enrolling or rectifying subscribers in order to help 
facilitate the examination of internal data to determine if improper 
payments were made. The Commission also proposes amending Sec. Sec.  
54.404(b) and 54.410(d) of the rules to require ETCs and the National 
Verifier to collect and record the identification number or card number 
indicated on the eligibility documentation (e.g., the SNAP card number 
or Medicaid card number) and the type of eligibility proof used by a 
subscriber to demonstrate eligibility for the Lifeline program. The 
proposal would not apply where a subscriber's eligibility is verified 
through an automated database. The Commission seeks comments on the 
proposal.
    46. Demonstrating Compliance with Usage Requirements. The 
Commission also seeks comments on ways to ensure the accuracy of ETCs' 
claims that subscribers are using their broadband internet access 
service under the non-usage rule. The Commission asks whether it would 
be possible for an ETC to pre-install an app on a subscriber's phone 
that would ``use'' data without any action by the user? Could an ETC 
fabricate usage in order to continue claiming support for a Lifeline 
subscriber who is no longer using the service? The Commission invites 
comments on whether it could require subscribers to use an app to 
confirm usage. The Commission also seeks comments on any potential 
privacy implications of modifying the usage requirement or requiring 
the installation of a specific app or method of usage.
    47. The Commission also seeks comments on amending Sec.  54.417 of 
the Commission's rules to clarify an ETC's obligation to maintain 
records that document compliance with the usage requirement. The 
current rule requires ETCs to ``maintain records to document compliance 
with all Commission and state requirements governing the Lifeline and 
Tribal Link Up program for three full preceding calendar years and 
provide that documentation to the Commission or Administrator upon 
request. While the rule already applies to the usage requirement in 
Sec. Sec.  54.405(e)(3) and 4.407(c) of the Commission's rules, the 
Commission seeks comments on whether a more detailed explanation of 
what documentation ETCs must maintain in the context of the non-usage 
requirement would provide certainty to ETCs. If the Commission amended 
Sec.  54.417 rule to give more specific guidance on document retention 
in the context of the usage requirement, what documentation should ETCs 
be required to maintain to show that data usage is ``undertaken by the 
subscriber,'' and not by the ETC, as the Commission's rules require? 
What are the costs and benefits of specially requiring ETCs to maintain 
detailed usage records, which could be examined to show any trends that 
reveal indications of potential usage fabrication (for example, an 
account that only used data once every 30 days, at 2:00 a.m.)? Should 
such usage data be maintained for the same general timeframe as other 
compliance documentation under Sec.  54.417 of the rules?
    48. De-enrollment Process. The Commission seeks comments on 
amending Sec.  54.405(e)(1) of the rules to clarify ETCs' obligations 
to act promptly to notify subscribers when the ETC has reason to 
believe that the subscriber is not eligible for the Lifeline program. 
Currently, the rule provides the

[[Page 71345]]

subscriber 30 days to demonstrate continued eligibility and a five-
business-day de-enrollment period if the subscriber fails to 
demonstrate his or her eligibility. However, the rule does not specify 
how quickly the ETC must act to send the subscriber the written notice 
that begins the 30-day period. An ETC that unreasonably delays sending 
the 30-day notice would violate the existing rule, but the Commission 
also seeks comments on implementing a firm deadline to avoid future 
confusion. The Commission seeks comments on whether it should amend 
Sec.  54.405(e)(1) of the rules to require ETCs to send written notice 
to the subscriber no later than five business days after the ETC has a 
reasonable basis to believe that the subscriber is no longer eligible 
for Lifeline service? Would amending the rule to allow the ETC five 
business days to send the 30-day-de-enrollment notice be sufficient? 
The Commission also seeks comments on amending Sec.  54.405 of its 
rules to codify the de-enrollment process when the de-enrollment is 
conducted by USAC under its authority as administrator of the Universal 
Service Fund. Should the de-enrollment procedures operate differently 
when USAC de-enrolls a subscriber from NLAD pursuant to an ETC's 
request or a program integrity review, under its authority as 
administrator of the Fund? Should USAC continue to rely on the ETC to 
conduct subscriber outreach for program integrity reviews or other 
situations, and if so, should the Commission's rules specifically 
direct USAC to de-enroll or deny reimbursement for those subscribers if 
the ETC is nonresponsive or delayed in its response? How should the 
Commission ensure that subscribers are given an opportunity to 
demonstrate continued eligibility before being de-enrolled? Are there 
any other clarifications the Commission should make to its de-
enrollment rules?
    49. Distribution of Free Handsets. The Commission also seeks 
further comments on the practice of in-person distribution of free 
handsets. Specifically, the Commission seeks comment on ways to 
minimize the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse stemming from the in-
person distribution of free handsets upon enrollment in the Lifeline 
program. The Commission seeks comments on requiring ETCs to charge 
Lifeline subscribers a fee in exchange for receiving a handset or 
device in person at enrollment. How prevalent is the in-person 
distribution of free handsets today and is this practice primarily 
associated with free-to-the-end-user Lifeline plans? Would the 
restriction eliminate incentives for ineligible consumers to attempt to 
enroll in Lifeline and does the promise of an immediate free phone 
along with a free service provide improper incentives to potential 
subscribers? The Commission asks whether it has the statutory authority 
to prohibit ETCs from distributing free handsets to Lifeline 
subscribers or otherwise regulate the distribution of handsets to ETCs. 
Does the longstanding program restriction on support for equipment used 
for the supported service justify a new requirement that all Lifeline 
subscribers must pay a fee for the handsets used to provide the 
supported service? The Commission seeks comments on whether important 
changes to NLAD and the roll-out of National Verifier have reduced the 
opportunities for fraud that were associated with the distribution of 
free handsets. The Commission seeks comments on other alternatives, 
such as delaying the distribution of free handsets or allowing the in-
person distribution of handsets only to Lifeline subscribers who, 
either up front or through a payment plan, have paid an end-user fee. 
Would those alternatives help eliminate fraud within the program? What 
would be the impact on program participation if Lifeline subscribers 
had to pay a fee in exchange for a handset? Would a fee create 
significant barriers to participating in the Lifeline program? If the 
Commission were to implement this requirement, how much should the fee 
be for a handset? The Commission seeks comment on the impact of 
limiting distribution of handsets would have on other activities, such 
as in-person training on handset use. The Commission also asks if it 
were to require ETCs to charge Lifeline subscribers a nominal fee for 
handsets distributed in person, is there a significant risk that ETCs 
would not actually collect that fee from Lifeline subscribers, and how 
could the Commission monitor and enforce an ETC's compliance with that 
requirement. The Commission also notes that it recently sought comment 
on whether it should impose a maximum discount level for Lifeline 
services, which would require customers to pay a portion of the costs 
of the supported service. Would requiring that carriers charge Lifeline 
customers a fee in exchange for a handset constitute a minimum charge 
for Lifeline service? Would requiring ETCs to assess a regular fee on 
subscribers for the Lifeline supported service mitigate any problems 
associated with providing in-person free handsets?
    50. Certifying Privacy Protection Training Efforts. The Commission 
seeks comment on requiring ETCs and state agencies with access to the 
USAC NLAD and National Verifier systems to certify that they have given 
their employees, agents, and representatives appropriate privacy 
training before those individuals may access the NLAD or National 
Verifier systems. In an effort to ensure that Lifeline subscribers' 
personal information is kept private and secure, the Commission has 
repeatedly directed USAC to implement strict standards in how it 
handles and gives external access to the Lifeline subscriber data that 
it receives as the administrator of the Lifeline program. The 
Commission has not, however, specifically required ETCs and state 
agencies to train their personnel in appropriate privacy precautions 
for accessing and handling personal information. A lack of such a 
training requirement could result in employees, agents, and 
representatives of ETCs or state agencies accessing highly sensitive 
information about Lifeline applicants or subscribers without having 
received sufficient instruction in the appropriate use and disposal of 
that data. In implementing a certification requirement for entities 
with NLAD and National Verifier access, the Commission seeks comments 
on the sufficiency of an ETC's customer proprietary network information 
(CPNI) certification to certify the effective training of their staff 
accessing these systems. The Commission also seeks comment on the scope 
and focus of existing ETC training programs and whether they address 
any unique personal information issues that arise when submitting 
Lifeline information to USAC that are not adequately addressed by the 
CPNI rules. Is there a need for a Lifeline-specific rule mandating 
training beyond what is put forward in the Commission's CPNI rules? The 
NPRM also seeks comments on the scope of ETCs' existing training 
programs and whether they include contractors, sub-contractors, agents, 
representatives, and other individuals that might interact with 
personal information being used in NLAD or the National Verifier. The 
Commission also seeks comments on the availability of existing privacy 
training resources for state agencies that have access to personal data 
in NLAD or National Verifier. Are there existing state agency privacy 
training programs that would satisfy the same purposes of a Lifeline-
specific privacy training? Should state agencies' privacy training

[[Page 71346]]

cover the same type of data protection standards as would be required 
by telecommunications carriers under the Commission's CPNI rules? If 
not, how should the training differ? The Commission also seeks comments 
on how a privacy training and certification requirement should be 
implemented. Should USAC conduct the training directly, or make a 
training available if an ETC or state agency does not conduct their 
own? The Commission proposes requiring ETCs and state agencies to 
certify in their NLAD and National Verifier access agreements that they 
have implemented compliant training programs or require their relevant 
employees, agents, and representatives to complete USAC's training 
prior to using USAC's system to access Lifeline applicant or subscriber 
personal information, and we seek comments on the approach. Finally, to 
further confirm that Lifeline subscriber's personal information is 
appropriately protected, the Commission seeks comments on a proposal to 
require state commissions and ETCs to provide written confirmation that 
they have conducted background investigations of their staff with 
access to the NLAD or National Verifier systems. The Commission seeks 
comments on existing practices regarding employee background 
investigations and the burdens associated with a requirement to 
regularly provide such information to USAC.
    51. Steps Taken to Minimize the Significant Economic Impact on 
Small Entities, and Significant Alternative Considered. The RFA 
requires an agency to describe any significant, specifically small 
business, alternatives that it has considered in reaching its proposed 
approach, which may include the following four alternatives (among 
others): ``(1) The establishment of differing compliance or reporting 
requirements or timetables that take into account the resources 
available to small entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or 
simplification of compliance and reporting requirements under the rule 
for such small entities; (3) the use of performance rather than design 
standards; and (4) an exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part 
thereof, for such small entities.''
    52. The FNPRM seeks comments on several policies that would revise 
the program's goals and promote the availability of modern services for 
low-income families, and also reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the 
program. Several of the policies would increase the economic burdens on 
small entities, and certain changes would lessen the economic impact on 
small entities. Requiring ETCs to upload its internal customer account 
numbers and to provide a subscriber's eligibility proof number and type 
are some of the measures proposed that are intended to help eliminate 
waste, fraud, and abuse in the Lifeline program. Moreover, the proposal 
to codify the de-enrollment obligations help ensure that ETCs do not 
unreasonably delay in sending out 30-day notices to subscribers that 
may no longer be eligible for Lifeline. In those instances in which a 
policy would increase burdens on small entities, it is determined that 
the benefits from such changes outweigh the increased burdens on small 
entities because those proposed changes would facilitate the Lifeline 
program's goal of supporting affordable, high-speed internet access for 
low-income Americans or would minimize waste, fraud, and abuse in the 
program. The Commission invites comments on ways in which the 
Commission can achieve its goals, but at the same time further reduce 
the burdens on small entities. The Commission expects to consider the 
economic impact on small entities, as identified in comments filed in 
response to the FNPRM and this IRFA, in reaching its final conclusions 
and taking action in the proceeding.

IV. Ordering Clauses

    53. Accordingly, it is ordered, that pursuant to the authority 
contained in sections 1-4, 201, 254, and 403 of the Communications Act 
of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 201, 214, 254, and 403, and 
Sec.  1.2 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.2, the Fifth Report and 
Order, Memorandum Opinion and Order and Order on Reconsideration, and 
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, is adopted.
    54. It is further ordered that the Commission's Consumer and 
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, shall send a 
copy of the Fifth Report and Order, Memorandum Opinion and Order and 
Order on Reconsideration, Further and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
including the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, to the Chief 
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 54

    Communications Common Carriers, internet, Reporting and 
Recordkeeping Requirements, Telecommunications, Telephone.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.

Proposed Rules

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal 
Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR part 54 as follows:

PART 54--UNIVERSAL SERVICE

0
1. The authority citation for part 54 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 155, 201, 205, 214, 219, 220, 
254, 303(r), 403, and 1302, unless otherwise noted.

0
2. Amend Sec.  54.404 by revising paragraph (b)(6) to read as follows:


Sec.  54.404  The National Lifeline Accountability Database.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (6) Eligible telecommunications carriers must transmit to the 
Database in a format prescribed by the Administrator each new and 
existing Lifeline subscriber's full name; full residential address; 
date of birth and the last four digits of the subscriber's Social 
Security number or Tribal Identification number, if the subscriber is a 
member of a Tribal nation and does not have a Social Security number; 
the type of documentation and associated identification number used to 
demonstrate eligibility, if applicable; the telephone number associated 
with the Lifeline service; the ETC's internal account number or 
identification number associated with that subscriber; subscriber non-
usage information; identity of the enrollment representative; time the 
subscriber was enrolled; the date on which the Lifeline service was 
initiated; the date on which the Lifeline service was terminated, if it 
has been terminated; the amount of support being sought for that 
subscriber; and the means through which the subscriber qualified for 
Lifeline.
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec.  54.405 by revising paragraph (e)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  54.405  Carrier obligation to offer Lifeline.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (1) De-enrollment generally. If an eligible telecommunications 
carrier has a reasonable basis to believe that a Lifeline subscriber no 
longer meets the criteria to be considered a qualifying low-income 
consumer under Sec.  54.409, within five business days the carrier must 
notify the subscriber of impending termination of his or her Lifeline 
service. Notification of impending

[[Page 71347]]

termination must be sent in writing separate from the subscriber's 
monthly bill, if one is provided, and must be written in clear, easily 
understood language. A carrier providing Lifeline service in a state 
that has dispute resolution procedures applicable to Lifeline 
termination that requires, at a minimum, written notification of 
impending termination, must comply with the applicable state 
requirements. The carrier must allow a subscriber 30 days following the 
date of the impending termination letter required to demonstrate 
continued eligibility. A subscriber making such a demonstration must 
present proof of continued eligibility to the carrier consistent with 
applicable annual re-certification requirements, as described in Sec.  
54.410(f). An eligible telecommunications carrier must de-enroll any 
subscriber who fails to demonstrate eligibility within five business 
days after the expiration of the subscriber's time to respond. A 
carrier providing Lifeline service in a state that has dispute 
resolution procedures applicable to Lifeline termination must comply 
with the applicable state requirements.
* * * * *
0
4. Amend Sec.  54.410 by revising paragraph (d)(2)(vii) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  54.410  Subscriber eligibility determination and certification.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (vii) If the subscriber is seeking to qualify for Lifeline under 
the program-based criteria, as set forth in Sec.  54.409, the name of 
the qualifying assistance program from which the subscriber, his or her 
dependents, or his or her household receives benefits, the subscriber's 
associated identification number, and the type of documentation the 
subscriber is submitting to demonstrate participation in that program, 
if necessary; and
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2019-27221 Filed 12-26-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P