§ 54.401   Lifeline defined.

   (a) As used in this subpart, Lifeline means a non-transferable retail
   service offering:

   (1) For which qualifying low-income consumers pay reduced charges as a
   result of application of the Lifeline support amount described in
   § 54.403; and

   (2) That provides qualifying low-income consumers with voice telephony
   service as specified in § 54.101(a). Toll limitation service does not
   need to be offered for any Lifeline service that does not distinguish
   between toll and non-toll calls in the pricing of the service. If an
   eligible telecommunications carrier charges Lifeline subscribers a fee
   for toll calls that is in addition to the per month or per billing
   cycle price of the subscribers' Lifeline service, the carrier must
   offer toll limitation service at no charge to its subscribers as part
   of its Lifeline service offering.

   (b) Eligible telecommunications carriers may allow qualifying
   low-income consumers to apply Lifeline discounts to any residential
   service plan that includes voice telephony service, including bundled
   packages of voice and data services; and plans that include optional
   calling features such as, but not limited to, caller identification,
   call waiting, voicemail, and three-way calling. Eligible
   telecommunications carriers may also permit qualifying low-income
   consumers to apply their Lifeline discount to family shared calling
   plans.

   (c) Eligible telecommunications carriers may not collect a service
   deposit in order to initiate Lifeline service for plans that:

   (1) Do not charge subscribers additional fees for toll calls; or

   (2) That charge additional fees for toll calls, but the subscriber
   voluntarily elects toll limitation service.

   (d) When an eligible telecommunications carrier is designated by a
   state commission, the state commission shall file or require the
   eligible telecommunications carrier to file information with the
   Administrator demonstrating that the carrier's Lifeline plan meets the
   criteria set forth in this subpart and describing the terms and
   conditions of any voice telephony service plans offered to Lifeline
   subscribers, including details on the number of minutes provided as
   part of the plan, additional charges, if any, for toll calls, and rates
   for each such plan. To the extent the eligible telecommunications
   carrier offers plans to Lifeline subscribers that are generally
   available to the public, it may provide summary information regarding
   such plans, such as a link to a public Web site outlining the terms and
   conditions of such plans. Lifeline assistance shall be made available
   to qualifying low-income consumers as soon as the Administrator
   certifies that the carrier's Lifeline plan satisfies the criteria set
   out in this subpart.

   (e) Consistent with § 52.33(a)(1)(i)(C) of this chapter, eligible
   telecommunications carriers may not charge Lifeline customers a monthly
   number-portability charge.

   [ 77 FR 12967 , Mar. 2, 2012]

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