Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the agency will soon initiate a proceeding to eliminate the existing streamlined process broadband providers follow to participate in the Lifeline program, and that he does not believe the Wireline Bureau should approve Lifeline Broadband Provider applications.

Today, Public Knowledge joins a coalition of more than 30 consumer advocacy and civil rights groups in a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Pai and Commissioners Clyburn and O’Reilly urging them to support the Lifeline program.

Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai revoked the Lifeline Broadband Provider (LBP) status of nine broadband providers that had previously been granted LBP status to provide essential connectivity to low-income households under the Commission’s modernized Lifeline program.

Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted to modernize the low-income telephone subsidy, Lifeline, to support broadband Internet access. Public Knowledge supports updating the Lifeline program to make broadband more affordable for millions of low-income Americans and to help end the digital divide.

Today, Public Knowledge joined MAG-Net, Communications Workers of America, Color of Change, and OC Inc. in submitting more than 20,000 signatures to the Federal Communications Commission urging the agency to expand its low-income phone subsidy program, Lifeline, to broadband Internet. The petitions will be added to the public record, which the Commissioners will consider before they vote on the Lifeline modernization proposal at the March 31 Open Meeting. Public Knowledge supports modernizing Lifeline to include broadband Internet as the new essential communications tool for the 21st century.

Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler announced he is circulating an agenda item modernizing the Lifeline program for a vote at the Commission’s March 31 open meeting. Last spring, the Commission proposed to update the low-income access telephone program, Lifeline, to also include broadband Internet access. Public Knowledge supports updating the Lifeline program to help make broadband more affordable for low-income Americans.

Today, Public Knowledge joined a broad cross-section of public interest groups and broadband providers in a letter to support the Federal Communications Commission’s goal of bringing the Lifeline phone subsidy program into the modern era by extending the subsidy to broadband service.

Today, Public Knowledge and 11 other consumer advocacy groups filed an Opposition to the CTIA – The Wireless Association’s petition asking the Federal Communications Commission to reconsider its authority to safeguard sensitive information of Lifeline program participants. The FCC’s June 2015 Order permits telephone providers to copy and store highly sensitive personal data of Lifeline applicants, including social security numbers, tax records and addresses.

Today, Public Knowledge submitted reply comments in the Federal Communications Commission’s proceeding on modernizing the Lifeline program to support broadband Internet access service. Public Knowledge supports updating Lifeline to close the digital divide by making broadband more affordable to low-income Americans.

Yesterday, Federal Communications Commission Senior Counsel Phil Verveer announced a new State Department diplomatic initiative called “Global Connect,” which will be unveiled at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York. Public Knowledge welcomes this initiative that aims to get another 1.5 billion people online.