Bridging the Digital Divide for Low-Income Consumers

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Federal Communications Commission 47 CFR Part 54 [WC Docket Nos. 17-287, 11-42 and 09-197; FCC 19-111; FRS 16302] AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) acts to restore the traditional role of states in the eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designation process. The Commission also acts to strengthen the Lifeline program's enrollment, recertification, and reimbursement processes so that limited Universal Service Fund (USF or Fund) dollars are directed only toward qualifying low-income consumers. DATES: Effective January 27, 2020, except for amendatory instruction 7 (§ 54.406(b)) which is effective February 25, 2020 and amendatory instruction 8 (§ 54.406(a)) which is effective March 26, 2020 and amendatory instructions 6.b. (§ 54.404(b)(12)) and 11 (§ 54.410(f)), which are delayed. The Federal Communications Commission will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing this effective date. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jodie Griffin, Wireline Competition Bureau, 202-418-7550 or TTY: 202-418-0484. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Fifth Report and Order, Memorandum Opinion and Order and Order on Reconsideration (Order), in WC Docket Nos. 17-287, 11-42 and 09-197; FCC 19-111 adopted October 30, 2019 and released November 14, 2019. The full text of this document is available for publi…