On April 27, 2016, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released its Third Report and Order, Further Report and Order, and Order on Reconsideration for the Lifeline Universal Service program. In this Order, the FCC implements major reforms to Lifeline aimed at focusing the program on broadband Internet connectivity. The FCC’s emphasis on broadband is consistent with the recent reform of the E-rate program via the Seventh Report and Order.
The FCC’s Lifeline Order may be found at https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-16-38A1.pdf.