September 28, 2005

DA 05-2539

**FCC ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF JOINT WORKING GROUP**

**ON LIFELINE AND LINK-UP SERVICES**

On July 25, 2005, a nationwide initiative "Lifeline Across America" was
launched to enhance consumer awareness of federal and state Lifeline and
Link-Up programs.[^1] The initiative includes the formation of a joint
Working Group to develop best practices and outreach materials to
support Lifeline and Link-Up services. This Public Notice names the
members of the Working Group and advises the public of the opportunity
to provide input to the Working Group. The members of the Working Group
are:

-   Lauren Patrich, FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau,
    <lauren.patrich@fcc.gov>

-   Robert Somers, FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau,
    <robert.somers@fcc.gov>

-   Dana Walton-Bradford, FCC Wireline Competition Bureau,
    <dana.walton-bradford@fcc.gov>

-   Amy Bender, Wireline Competition Bureau, <amy.bender@fcc.gov>

-   Sharon Lee, Enforcement Bureau, <sharon.lee@fcc.gov>

-   Donna Cyrus, Enforcement Bureau, <donna.cyrus@fcc.gov>

-   Jennifer Salhus, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau,
    <Jennifer.salhus@fcc.gov>

-   Cindi Schieber, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau,
    <cindi.schieber@fcc.gov>

-   Beverlee DeMello, Florida Public Service Commission,
    <BDeMello@psc.state.fl.us>

-   Lisa Colosimo, Ohio Public Utilities Commission,
    <lisa.colosimo@puc.state.oh.us>

-   Sandra Sloane, New York Public Service Commission,
    [Sandra_sloane@dps.state.ny.us](mailto:Sandra_sloane@dps.staste.ny.us)

-   Deena Frankel, Vermont Department of Public Service,
    <deena.frankel@state.vt.us>

-   Dee Porter, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, <d.porter@occemail.com>

-   Greg Fogleman, Florida Public Service Commission,
    <gfoglema@psc.state.fl.us>

-   John Ridgway, Iowa Utilities Board, <john.ridgway@iub.state.ia.us>

-   Angela Gilliland, Indiana Office of the Utility Consumer Counsel,
    <agilliland@oucc.in.gov>

Lifeline and Link-Up are low-income support mechanisms, which ensure
that quality telecommunications services are available to low-income
consumers at just, reasonable, and affordable rates. Since its
inception, Lifeline/Link-Up has provided support for telephone service
to millions of low-income consumers.[^2] These programs provide for
discounts to low-income households for both the initial installation of
phone service (Link-Up) and monthly phone bills (Lifeline).[^3] National
statistics, however, reveal that citizens who qualify for Lifeline and
Link-Up may not be aware of the benefits of the programs.[^4]

Over the next several months, the Working Group will gather input to
support the development of best practices to ensure the eligible
consumers are aware of Lifeline and Link-Up and develop outreach and
training materials. Parties interested in providing input to the Working
Group may contact a member of the Working Group, or alternatively, may
provide input or arrange to provide input by sending an email to
<lifeline@fcc.gov>.

[^1]: *See* 47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart E; "FCC and NARUC Launch
    'Lifeline Across America' to Raise Awareness of Lifeline and Link-Up
    Programs," released July 26, 2005.

[^2]: *See* Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications
    Commission, *Trends in Telephone Service Report,* Table 19.8 (June
    21, 2005).

[^3]: *See* 47 C.F.R. § 54.401, 54.411.

[^4]: *See* *In the Matter of Lifeline and Link-Up*, WC Docket No.
    03-109, *Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed
    Rulemaking,* 18 F.C.C.R. 8302 ¶ 1 (2004).