Regulatory Changes Postpone 2016 Lifeline Awareness Week

For Immediate Release: August 29, 2016
Contact: Regina L. Davis, 202-898-9382, rdavis@naruc.org

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners announces the postponement of Lifeline Awareness Week 2016. The annual event, normally recognized each September, will be delayed because of new federal guidelines.

In April, the Federal Communications Commission released its Lifeline Modernization order. Among other things, the order modifies consumer eligibility criteria, expands the program to cover broadband services, establishes an eligibility verification system with State assistance, sets minimum service standards and alters the annual recertification and de-enrollment rules. These changes to the program require sufficient time to implement changes and update educational materials to minimize consumer confusion. Therefore, to best serve the interests of all stakeholders, NARUC has postponed Lifeline Awareness Week for 2016.

“It will take time for carriers and states, especially those with matching programs, to adjust to the Lifeline changes instituted by the FCC. To avoid increasing consumer confusion by providing outdated information, we have chosen to postpone the 2016 awareness week.”

—NARUC President Travis Kavulla of Montana

NARUC staff will work with stakeholders, the FCC and the Universal Service Administrative Company to ensure that updated information accurately reflects all of the changes and that state commissions and provider communities have access to educational materials. The revised awareness date will be announced in the coming months.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC's member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of State public utility commissions before the three branches of the Federal government.

# # # #