FCC Proposes Millions in Fines for Lifeline Program Fraud

The Federal Communications Commission is proposing more than $10 million in fines against two providers who apparently defrauded the FCC’s Lifeline Program. The Federal Lifeline Program is funded by the Universal Service Fund to provide a discount on phone and internet services for qualifying low-income Americans. The Notice of Apparent Liability adopted by the FCC proposes $2,673,966 and $7,453,966 fines against AirVoice Wireless and TAG Mobility, respectively. The companies, which share common ownership, apparently enrolled and claimed hundreds of duplicate subscribers, among other rule violations.