Charter used a statement yesterday to confirm its support of the FCC’s efforts to reform and modernize the Lifeline program. “From the outset of the proceeding, the FCC actively engaged with potential participants to identify what changes they could make to the program to foster greater participation by providers like Charter,” the operator says.
“In 2016, the disadvantages facing those on the wrong side of the digital divide are so big, and so many, that expanding broadband access requires the combined efforts of the entire Internet ecosystem – including cable broadband providers.”
Charter points out that the proposal would remove the state ETC requirements by creating the more streamlined category of provider (called National Lifeline Providers) and would make it easier for cable companies to participate in Lifeline. That would allow the FCC to be what some have called a “one-stop-shop” for providers to offer Lifeline services throughout their footprint.
“Second, removing the requirement that providers determine eligibility would eliminate an important cost previously imposed on providers,” the statement continues. “By shifting that responsibility to a national third-party verifier, this reform would facilitate greater provider participation.”
The operator further underlines that this change could also decrease the potential for waste, fraud and abuse. That’s a long-time criticism of the program and consistently pops up when there’s any discussion of reform.
“Modernizing the FCC’s Lifeline program to support affordable, high-speed Internet access for our nation’s poorest families is a worthy goal,” FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai said earlier this week. “But failing to clean up the waste, fraud and abuse in the program puts the entire enterprise in jeopardy.” (More on Pai’s recent Lifeline comments is available here.)
Charter also used its statement to point out commitments it has already made to offer a new low-cost broadband service for eligible low-income consumers within six months of the closing its pending transactions with Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks. The service would deliver 30/4 Mbps speeds for $14.99 per month, according to a press release on the company’s site.
“Recognizing the central role broadband plays in our daily lives and the economic challenges faced by many Americans today, we look forward to launching this offering that will provide more consumers a superior broadband service,” Tom Rutledge, president and CEO of Charter, said last December when the low-cost service proposal was announced.
