FCC To Consider Expanding 'Lifeline' To Broadband
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- One of the taxes tacked onto your cell bill is for the Universal Service Fund. The government uses some of that money to subsidize phone service for low-income people. Now, there's a push to bring broadband Internet into the fold.
The Lifeline program has helped Americans at or near the poverty line afford landlines and mobile phone service over its 31 years. But now the Federal Communications Commission wants that $9.25 monthly subsidy per household to go to Internet service -- home or mobile broadband.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler says it could help more than 64 million people get high-speed access; the biggest reason they don't sign up for broadband or cancel service, he says, is cost. It doesn't make sense, Wheeler believes, for Lifeline to focus solely on "20th century voice service."
The plan sets a minimum speed and usage allowance for fixed and mobile broadband, and requires mobile voice to include unlimited minutes. Landline-only service won't go away. And Wheeler promises protections against the fraud that has beset Lifeline.
Comcast's program tailored to low-income households, Internet Essentials, meets the proposed requirements. Its cost is nearly covered by the subsidy.
A final vote by the full commission is scheduled for the end of the month.
