Lifeline-Linkup: Much-Needed Changes to Close the Digital Divide
The following article is cross-posted from the Broadband & Social Justice Blog, it follows a Speed Matters post on the subject of Lifeline and Linkup reform.
What is the Lifeline-Linkup Program, and why and how should it be modernized? Many Americans have never heard of the program that has brought telephone service to millions, so unfortunately don't know how antiquated this critical program is. Having to explain how something that is inherently necessary to me should be equally important to you is somewhat daunting.
Daunting because it boils down to one of the core reasons that we bother with a Federal Communications Commission in the first place. The Commission was expressly formed to regulate our communications system "as to make available, so far as possible, to all the people of the United States, without discrimination ... a rapid, efficient, nationwide, and world-wide wire and radio communication service with adequate facilities at reasonable charges..."
To achieve this objective and increase access and availability of advanced telecommunications services for consumers who might not otherwise be able to obtain them, the Commission established four programs under the Universal Service Fund.
One of these programs is the Low-Income program, which is comprised of Linkup support for installation and Lifeline support for monthly service costs. Currently, these programs extend only to cover telephone services, in a world that is becoming increasingly digital.
Why the Program Needs Reform
Reform is necessary for a variety of reasons that include increasing the low levels of participation by people who are eligible to receive service (a mere 33 percent of low-income households actually use it); increasing the efficiency of the program to help address concerns about waste, fraud, and abuse; and, most importantly, to extend support to broadband and bundled services.
Luckily, Universal Service was defined as "an evolving level of telecommunications services...taking into account advances in telecommunications and information technologies and services..."
I challenge you to find a greater advance than broadband in the telecommunications industry in recent history.
Broadband offers so many opportunities to revolutionize nearly every aspect of our lives, our economy, and our society. For those who have access and have adopted the technology, broadband has changed the way we gather information, find jobs, purchase products, and communicate with each other and our government.
Unfortunately, we have not achieved universal broadband adoption. A digital divide based on racial and socio-economic factors persists. However, wireless broadband service and devices are providing a means to overcome this divide.
President Obama made wireless deployment a national priority in his State of the Union Address. And the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission has stressed the importance of the mobile industry to our economy. Chairman Genachowski remarked, "We're still in the early innings, but there's no questioning the incredible opportunity that mobile broadband presents - opportunity to spur economic growth, create jobs, enhance our global competitiveness, and improve our quality of life."
Low-Income consumers should not be left behind as broadband and mobile technology changes the way we live and the way we thrive. The Lifeline-Linkup program should immediately be reformed to extend support to broadband and bundled services.
The Changes That Should be Made
The Commission should work with providers to ensure that Lifeline-Linkup policies go beyond the cost of service to address the multiple barriers of broadband adoption including the cost equipment, digital literacy skills, and relevant content.
One Economy has proposed three broadband pilot programs for the Universal Service Low-Income program, and One Economy, MMTC, and the League of United Latin American Citizens have filed joint Comments with the FCC pointing out how the program can be better implemented. One Economy proposes to bridge the digital divide through 1) a reverse auction process that would address multiple barriers to broadband adoption by allowing providers to bid for the ability to serve low-income communities, 2) 4G public-private partnerships, and 3) shared wireless in the Department of Housing and Urban Development multi-dwelling units.
In addition, the commenters jointly propose creating a national database of eligible participants that eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) would use to reduce duplication and fraud; requiring ETCs to provide a minimum level of comprehensive broadband adoption services; and not capping the fund or requiring additional subscriber fees. MMTC has also filed separate Comments, urging the Commission to encourage participation in the program; seek uniform coordinated enrollment and verification of enrollment in the program by leveraging partnerships; and expand the Lifeline/Linkup program to encompass bundled services and broadband.
There is no denying that broadband is a powerful tool that provides the means for first class citizenship in our digital society. Our communications policies should reflect a desire that there be no second-class citizens by prioritizing broadband access, adoption, and informed use and extending Lifeline-Linkup support to broadband in low-income communities.
Lifeline-Linkup: Much-Needed Changes to Close the Digital Divide
Civil Rights, Labor Groups' Recommendations to Correct "Vast Disparities in Access" to Broadband
FCC: Universal Service Program for Low-Income Consumers
Exploring The Digital Nation: Home Broadband Internet Adoption In The United States (ESA & NTIA)
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski Remarks on Spectrum As Prepared for Delivery. April 6, 2011
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