The Regulatory Mix, TMI’s daily blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of a TMI Briefing.

FCC Data on Voice Telephone Service

The FCC released a report on voice telephone service (traditional wireline, wireless, and VoIP) as of December 31, 2015, as collected by FCC Form 477.  Among the findings in the report are:

• In December 2015, there were 65 million end-user switched access lines in service, 59 million interconnected VoIP subscriptions, and 335 million mobile subscriptions in the United States, or 458 million retail voice telephone service connections in total.
• Between December2012 and December 2015, interconnected VoIP subscriptions increased at a compound annual growth rate of 12%, mobile voice subscriptions increased at a compound annual growth rate of 3%, and retail switched access lines declined at 12% per year.

• Cross-classified by technology and the retailer’s regulatory status, the 68 million wireline residential connections in December 2015 were: 38% ILEC switched access lines, 44% non-ILEC interconnected VoIP subscriptions, 15% ILEC interconnected VoIP subscriptions, and 3% non-ILEC switched access lines.  Similarly, the 56 million wireline business connections were: 45% ILEC switched access lines, 30% non-ILEC interconnected VoIP subscriptions, 4% ILEC interconnected VoIP subscriptions, and 21% non-ILEC switched access lines.

Pennsylvania Lifeline for Voice & Internet Services

The PUC issued a press release encouraging consumer awareness of the expanded resources available through the Lifeline program - broadband internet service for low-income households, in addition to, or in combination with, landline or wireless voice telephone service.  TMI Briefing Servicesubscribers see Briefing dated 11/17/16.  In an effort to increase awareness about the Lifeline program, the PUC developed a new informational brochure, “Stay Connected with the Lifeline Telephone Assistance Program.”

The Commissioners have reached out to the CEOs of Pennsylvania telecommunications companies, requesting their assistance in educating consumers about federal changes to the Lifeline program and enhanced opportunities for low-income households to connect to voice and internet service.  See their responses here.