Introduction
The Commission launched a review of its telecommunications public policy programs in May 2006. These programs – all of which are funded by a surcharge on phone bills, except for the payphone programs – include Lifeline, which gives low-income households discounted service; the Teleconnect Fund, which provides broadband services to schools, libraries and hospitals; the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP), which offers specialized communications equipment to people with hearing, sight, mobility and cognitive impairment; and the Payphone Programs, which include a program to maintain a small number of “public purpose” payphones that would not otherwise be placed on a for-profit basis, as well as a payphone enforcement program to make sure payphones meet requirements for things like accurately posted rates and other rules.
The issues in this proceeding include potentially shifting Lifeline service discounts to a standard discount “voucher” system; expanding the program to include wireless service; establishing income limitations for the DDTP, expanding the DDTP wireless pilot program; expanding the Teleconnect Fund to community college and telemedicine applications, and merging the Payphone Programs into the Teleconnect Fund. DRA has supported investigating the voucher option and wireless programs, opposed DDTP income limitations, and urged caution and better cost estimates before adding to Teleconnect Fund recipient categories.
For questions about Lifeline, please contact Selena Huang at 415-703-5247. For questions about the other porgrams, please contact Alik lee at 415-703-2050. The docket is R. 06-05-028. You can also read more about these programs at Public Policy Programs.
About
- The Commission_Rulemaking was issued on May 25, 2006.
- DRA’s Reply Comments on the OIR filed September 15, 2006.
- DRA filed Reply Comments on Public Policy Payphones on September 15, 2006.
- The Scoping_Ruling dated July 13, 2007 further refined and outlined the issues in the proceeding.
- DRA filed Opening Comments on August 24, 2007 and Reply Comments on September 6, 2007 On Scoping Memo and Ruling of the Assigned Commissioner and Administrative Law Judge Regarding the California Lifeline and California Teleconnect Fund.
- DRA also filed Reply Comments on September 28, 2007 in response to the September 17, 2007 Ruling on Public Policy Payphone Programs.
- DRA filed Opening Comments and Reply Comments on Commissioner Chong’s Proposed Decision on June 2 and 9, 2008.
- D0806020, issued June 16, 2008, is an Interim Decision that addresses California Teleconnect Fund, payphone enforcement and Public Policy Payphone Programs, and the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program.