Rules No Longer Effective Beginning April 2, 2012 

On March 29, 2012, the FCC issued a Public Notice notifying eligible telecommunications carriers (“ETCs”) that the previously announced April 2, 2012, effective date for raising the Lifeline reimbursement credit to $9.25 will be delayed until a date to be determined.   

The FCC’s notice stated that it cannot implement the new $9.25 Lifeline credit until after all of its rules receive Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) approval.  The FCC had previously ruled that it would implement the new Lifeline rules in piecemeal fashion.  Once OMB approves the data collection provisions of the new Lifeline rules, the FCC will issue a further notice giving ETCs at least 90 days to comply and implement these changes.   

The FCC offered no guidance on how it would address issues related to ETCs that may have already issued bills crediting their lifeline customers with the new Lifeline amounts.  

More information about the FCC’s Lifeline reforms is available here:   http://www.fcc.gov/guides/lifeline-and-link-affordable-telephone-service-income-eligible-consumers. 

If you have any questions about the FCC’s Notice or the new Lifeline rules, please contact James Moskowitz at (202) 872-6881 or jmoskowitz@cm-chi.com.