Today: FCC Directs USAC to Take Specific Action on Lifeline Waste, Fraud, and Abuse; Connecticut Cybersecurity Strategy; Washington 564 NPA Overlay
FCC Directs USAC To Take Specific Action On Lifeline Waste, Fraud, And Abuse
In light of its own investigations and a recent GAO report (See the Regulatory Mix dated 6/30/17) FCC Chairman Ajit Pai directed USAC to take, as soon as possible, certain specific actions to mitigate the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse in Lifeline program. The actions cover six specific problem areas: ineligible subscribers, oversubscribed addresses, phantom subscribers, deceased subscribers, exact duplicates, and sales agent accountability.
Among other things, USAC was directed to:
(1) identify the top ten ETCs (on a holding company basis) with the highest number of potentially ineligible subscribers according to GAO's study and audit each of them to determine whether they are properly verifying the eligibility of their subscribers;
(2) identify and review every address associated with 500 or more subscribers and, on a quarterly basis, review a statistically valid sample of addresses associated with 25 or more subscribers;
(3) develop a process to identify ETCs with material discrepancies that cannot be adequately explained between the NLAD and claimed support on their Form 497 submissions;
(4) on a quarterly basis, check a statistically valid sample of subscribers enrolled or recertified during the previous quarter against the Social Security Master Death Index; and
(5) require each sales agent to register with USAC with sufficient information so that USAC can verify the agent's identity and determine the ETC(s) he or she works for.
USAC was also directed to require de-enrollment of subscribers found ineligible, attempt to recapture any improper payments to ETCs, and refer substantial violations to the FCC’s Office of Inspector General for evaluation as to whether civil or criminal action is appropriate and to the Enforcement Bureau for administrative action and remedies.
Connecticut Cybersecurity Strategy
Gov. Malloy announced cybersecurity strategy for Connecticut and offers tips for residents to protect themselves against cyber attacks. The Connecticut Cybersecurity Strategy identifies seven principles - leadership, literacy, preparation, response, recovery, communication, and verification – that can be applied to every person, organization, government agency, and business in Connecticut. “The federal government, our national intelligence, and homeland security officials are doing their part, but states have a vital role to play. Connecticut is leading the way in taking action that will allow us to be prepared for any contingency and safeguard our residents from cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure.” Said Governor Malloy.
Washington 564 NPA Overlay Reminder
The Commission reminds consumers that callers in the western Washington NPAs will have to dial the area code along with the 7-digit telephone number to make a local call beginning July 29, 2017. In May 2016, the Commission approved a new 564 NPA. The new area code will overlay all of Western Washington and initially be distributed to the 360 area code territory. As numbers are needed in the 206, 253 and 425 area code territories, 564 will be distributed to meet the demand. TMI Briefing Service subscribers see Briefings dated 7/1/16 and 5/23/16.
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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.
