Goto Section: 54.320 | 54.403 | Table of Contents
FCC 54.401
Revised as of October 2, 2015
Goto Year:2014 |
2016
§ 54.401 Lifeline defined.
(a) As used in this subpart, Lifeline means a non-transferable retail
service offering provided directly to qualifying low-income consumers:
(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, as amended at 80 FR 40935 , July 14, 2015]
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Goto Section: 54.320 | 54.403
Goto Year: 2014 |
2016
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