The California Lifeline Reform Case Study – Overview

The Federal Communications Commission is seeking public input on a proposal to reform and modernize its Lifeline program. For 30 years, the Lifeline program has made basic telecommunications services more affordable for people with low incomes. Now, the FCC is considering updating the program to make access to broadband networks more affordable, too. Public comments in this proceeding are due on Monday, August 17; reply comments are due Tuesday, September 15. To help inform the FCC’s Lifeline proceeding, Benton Foundation is conducting a case study with Access Humboldt’s Broadband Policy Project that will highlight the California Lifeline reform experience - exploring issues raised, capturing lessons learned, and addressing important questions for the future of the Lifeline program. California is the only state that has a Lifeline program with greater support provided to low income households than the federal program. Why is California’s Lifeline program the most substantial state program? How did that happen? What has the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) learned? We’ll review the history and explore the issues in hopes that the FCC and other states can take some lessons from the California experience to help inform the “modernization” of Lifeline going forward.