FCC's Pai to Eliminate Federal Lifeline Eligibility Program [telecom]

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By John Eggerton, Broadcasting and Cable, Mar 29, 2017

Saying the FCC will still include broadband in its Lifeline low-income subsidies program, FCC chairman Ajit Pai will return the eligibility portion of that program to the states and will not authorize nine federal lifeline authorizations he rescinded last month.

"Going forward, I want to make it clear that broadband will remain in the Lifeline program so long as I have the privilege of serving as Chairman. And we will continue to look for ways to make the program work even better," Pai said in a statement Wednesday.

Lifeline is a Universal Service Fund subsidy for basic telecommunications services for those least able to afford them.

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Neal McLain