Memo: FCC Announces Census Blocks Eligible for Continued Voice-Only Lifeline Support
June 3, 2021
FCC Announces Census Blocks Eligible for Continued Voice-Only Lifeline Support
Summary
In the 2016 Lifeline Reform Order, the FCC began the transition to phase out the Lifeline support for voice-only services in an attempt to shift the focus of Lifeline benefits toward broadband services. The transition for voice-only supported services are:
- Until December 1, 2019 – $9.25
- From December 1, 2019 until November 30, 2020 – $7.25
- From December 1, 2020 until November 30, 2021 – $5.25
- On December 1, 2021 – standalone voice service, or voice service not bundled with broadband meeting the minimum standards – $0
The FCC provided an exception for the complete phase out of voice-only support in Census Blocks where there is only one Lifeline provider and directed the Wireline Competition Bureau to identify those Census Blocks by June 1 each year.
On June 1, 2021, the FCC released a Public Notice which contains a link of the Census Blocks. The identified Census Blocks indicate where ETCs can continue to claim $5.25 in reimbursement for voice-only Lifeline services offered to eligible subscribers after December 1, 2021 through November 30, 2022.
VPS Memo – Voice Only Lifeline Support
Additional Information
For more information on this issue or if you would like VPS guidance, please contact these members of the Vantage Point Solutions team:
Mara Vasile at (605) 995-1828
Courtney Spears at (830) 895-7221
