- In this Order, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) extends, for a year, the waiver pausing both the phase-out of Lifeline support for voice-only services and the increase in the Lifeline minimum service standard for mobile broadband data capacity. Without this decision, support for services that meet only the voice minimum service standard, which currently stands at $5.25 per month, would be eliminated in most areas on December 1, 2025.[1] Additionally, absent a pause, the minimum service standard for mobile broadband data capacity would rise from 4.5 GB to 29 GB per month beginning December 1, 2025.
- As discussed below, we find good cause to pause these changes for an additional year. Absent this action, the minimum service standard for mobile broadband data capacity would have experienced its largest increase since Lifeline minimum service standards were established. This action will avoid changes that could potentially result in the disruption of communications for Lifeline subscribers as the Commission establishes and evaluates the record in the Delete, Delete, Delete proceeding, a wide-ranging deregulatory review.[2] Maintaining Lifeline program stability through this action will limit burdens on providers and low-income households while the Commission considers future activity regarding Lifeline voice-only service and setting minimum service standards.
[1] See Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization et al., WC Docket No. 11-42, Third Report and Order, Further Report and Order, and Order on Reconsideration, 31 FCC Rcd 3962, 3989-97, paras. 73-98 (2016) (2016 Lifeline Order); 47 CFR §§ 54.403(a)(2)(iv)-(v).
[2] See In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete, GN Docket No. 25-133, Public Notice, DA 25-219 (rel. Mar, 12, 2025) (Delete, Delete, Delete Public Notice) (seeking public input on identifying FCC rules for the purpose of alleviating unnecessary regulatory burdens).
Hear is some of their reasoning…
- Our decision to extend this waiver stems from careful consideration of how to continue to support a stable and robust affordable communications market through the Lifeline program. This waiver also allows the Commission time to consider the recommendations found in the Future of USF Report and options for deregulatory initiatives in the Delete, Delete, Delete[1] These factors, in addition to ongoing subscribership to voice-only plans despite their lower support rate, lead us to find good cause to pause, until December 1, 2026, both the elimination of voice-only support and the increase in minimum service standards for mobile broadband data capacity.
- Voice Support Phase-Out. In each of the last two years, the Bureau paused the scheduled phase-out in Lifeline support for voice-only services due in large part to a continued reliance on voice service.[2] Extending the waiver of the voice-only services phase-out ensures that voice-only subscribers are not required to subscribe to broadband bundled plans to maintain their access to a Lifeline-supported service. It further permits these households to maintain access to voice service that bridges a gap in the pursuit of universal service.[3]
- We further find that it is in the public interest to continue to pause the complete phase-out of voice-only support to allow the Commission to fully consider the Lifeline program’s objectives and processes, consistent with the Delete, Delete, Delete Public Notice’s stated purpose of identifying FCC rules for the purpose of alleviating unnecessary regulatory burdens.[4] Pausing the phase-out of voice-only support allows the Commission additional time to consider how voice service fits into a modern Lifeline program. For all of these reasons, we find good cause to pause the phase-out in Lifeline support for voice-only services.
- Mobile Broadband Data Capacity Minimum Service Standard. In each of the last two years, the Bureau paused the increase to the minimum service standard for mobile broadband data capacity, primarily due to potential cost barriers that an increase would bring and data showing that Lifeline subscribers may not benefit from an increase in the usage allowance.[5] In addition, the pause was needed to allow time for the Commission to consider recommendations to revise Lifeline minimum service standards in the Future of USF Report.[6] The dual needs to consider future changes to this mechanism and to prevent increased capacity requirements that make service potentially more robust than needed, but prohibitively expensive, continues to support maintaining a minimum mobile broadband data capacity of 4.5 GB.
[1] See Future of USF Report, 37 FCC Rcd 10041; Delete, Delete, Delete Public Notice.
[2] 2023 Waiver Order, 38 FCC Rcd at 6100, para. 12; 2024 Waiver Order, 39 FCC Rcd at 7004, para. 12.
[3] See also 2021 Waiver Order, 36 FCC Rcd at 15546, para. 16 (finding that “retail rates for bundled broadband plans that would meet the Lifeline program’s current minimum service standards for broadband data capacity far exceed the cost of plans that would qualify as Lifeline voice-only plans,” which could require some Lifeline subscribers “to either move to a more expensive bundled broadband plan, or forego voice service altogether.”).
[4] See Delete, Delete, Delete Public Notice, at 1.
[5] See 2023 Waiver Order, 38 FCC Rcd at 6101-02, paras. 14-17; 2024 Waiver Order, 39 FCC Rcd at 7005-06, paras. 15-16.
[6] See id.