FCC

The Federal Communications Commission has proposed fines against three providers of Lifeline, a program to help low-income consumers afford phone service, for violating rules to protect the program against waste, fraud and abuse.

As part of the FCC’s initiative to bring broadband access to rural communities, the Connect America Fund received over $225 million in funding to connect almost 1 million people who lack service.

The plan to propose to end the ban on phone calls during commercial flights was announced on November 21^st by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. After the proposed plan was released, Wheeler issued a statement that “I feel that way myself” after provoking complaints from flight attendants, fliers and lawmakers.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set a comment deadline for its proposal to eliminate the UHF discount. Comments will be due no later than December 16, 2013 with reply comments due no later than January 13, 2014.

The Federal Communication’s Connect America Fund has authorized over $32 million in funding to provide new broadband access to over 42,000 unserved homes and businesses in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. This will now allow 100,000 people the ability to connect to broadband service.