The FCC Must Upgrade the Lifeline Program

While supporting the Lifeline program and the proposed changes, Free Press is urging the Federal Communications Commission to take a comprehensive approach to addressing the affordability and competition problems in the nation’s telecommunications marketplace. The lack of choices has pushed costs for essential telecommunications services way beyond the reach of too many.

Free Press Policy Director Matt Wood said, "If the FCC wants to make Lifeline more effective and boost competition and innovation in the Lifeline marketplace, it should let recipients apply their Lifeline subsidies to any telecommunications services, including broadband...The FCC also needs to devote resources to creating affordable options in the marketplace across the board. The lack of effective broadband competition has a negative impact on everyone seeking access to these essential services. Lifeline is but one tool the FCC can use to address the issue of affordability. If the agency’s primary goal is to get as many people as possible using broadband, it needs to take every necessary step to make all broadband services affordable. The FCC should move ahead with its proposed changes to Lifeline -- and take other steps to deal with the broader competition crisis head on.”