On October 29, 2020, the Commission released the Order on Remand (“Order”) in the Restoring Internet Freedom proceeding (WC Docket No. 17-108; WC Docket No. 17-287, WC Docket No. 11-42). This item was adopted at the October Open Meeting.
The adopted Order incorporates the following relevant changes from the circulated draft version:
- In response to an Oct 20 NARUC filing, the Commission rejects NARUC’s contention that the Commission’s continued use of “voice telephony service” to define the supported service creates a risk that a provider which is not a common carrier will obtain designation as an ETC (¶ 91).
- In response to recent ex parte filings, the Commission (1) confirms that it retains the authority to condition Lifeline support on the provision of broadband Internet access service, as it has in the high-cost support context; and (2) clarifies that the Restoring Internet Freedom Order does not change the procedures for carriers seeking to relinquish their status as ETCs. This will continue to be governed by section 214(e)(4) of the Act to ensure that geographic areas are not left without a Lifeline provider (¶ 93).
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