State, local, tribal governments advisory committee supports Lifeline modernization

The Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) filed Comments at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of the FCC’s proposal to update the Lifeline program to include broadband. The IAC, which was created in 1997 to provide guidance to the FCC on issues of importance for state, local, and tribal governments, agreed with the FCC that high-speed Internet is a modern communications necessity.

“The IAC agrees with the Commission that broadband is ‘essential to participate in society.’ A key reason people with access choose not to subscribe to broadband is affordability. Thus, the IAC urges the Commission to make broadband service eligible for Lifeline support to assist low-income individuals afford broadband services,” the Comments read. The IAC added that the FCC should set minimum service levels for Lifeline offerings and establish a centralized eligibility verification system.

Speed Matters, along with civil rights, labor, and consumer groups, haslong supported expanding the Lifeline program to include broadband. The FCC’s Lifeline program currently provides subsidies to low-income people for voice service and Chairman Tom Wheeler’sproposal to update the program to include high-speed Internet is an important step toward fulfilling the Commission’s century-old commitment to universal communications access.

Lifeline Comments to FCC (Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, Nov. 23, 2015)

Expand Lifeline to include broadband (Speed Matters, Mar. 16, 2015)

FCC: Lifeline to include broadband (FCC, May 30, 2015)