Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 165 - Corporation Commission › Chapter 55 - Telecommunications Services › Subchapter 23 - Eligible Telecommunications Carriers › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 165:55-23-15 - Lifeline program

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
(a) Each
				  telecommunications service provider or wireless provider who has been
				  designated as an ETC shall submit tariffs to the Commission or post
				  informational terms, conditions, and rates on the Company's website and provide
				  to the Commission; implementing a program for which qualifying low-income
				  end-users pay reduced charges as a result of the Lifeline support amount
				  described in (e) below.
(b) If the
				  ETC has toll services, the ETC shall offer toll restriction to all qualifying
				  low-income end-users at the time such end-user subscribes to Lifeline service.
				  If the end-user elects to receive toll restriction, that service shall become
				  part of that end-user's Lifeline service. ETCs may not collect a deposit in
				  order to initiate Lifeline service if the qualifying low-income end-user
				  voluntarily elects toll restriction, where available, from the ETC. If toll
				  restriction is unavailable, or if it is available and the qualifying low-income
				  end-user does not elect toll restriction, the ETC may charge a deposit as
				  detailed in OAC
				  165:55-9-14.
(c) Each ETC shall publicize the
				  availability of Lifeline service throughout their designated ETC service area
				  in a manner reasonably designed to reach those likely to qualify for the
				  service.
(d) Qualifying end-users
				  must meet the eligibility criteria set out in OAC
				  165:55-23-12.
(e) For a qualifying low-income end-user who
				  is not an eligible resident of Tribal lands, the Lifeline support amount shall
				  not exceed the federal support amount at
				  47 C.F.R. §
											54.403(a)(1) and §
										54.403(a)(2)
				  plus, when qualified, the state support amount established by Commission order
				  or by 17 O.S. §
										139.105.
				  For an eligible low-income end-user who lives on Tribal Land, the Lifeline
				  support amount shall not exceed the federal support amount at
				  47 CFR §
											54.403(a)(1), §
										54.403(a)(2)
				  and 47 C.F.R. § 54.403(a)(3) plus, when qualified, the state support
				  amount established by Commission order or by 17 O.S. §
										139.105.
(f) The ETC shall instruct
				  applicants to the Lifeline program to indicate, at the time of application, in
				  writing, all qualifying programs under which the applicant is eligible for or
				  receives assistance or benefits.
(g) The wireless provider must provide access
				  to its own customer service department by dialing 611 from the wireless handset
				  or have a toll free number for contacting the ETC programmed in the phone and
				  clearly identified.
(h) Any
				  wireless handset provided in conjunction with the Lifeline Service must clearly
				  identify the provider of the service.
(i) An ETC may not provide Lifeline Service
				  purely by resale without a Commission order.
(j) An approved Lifeline product may not be
				  modified without submitting the modification to the Director of the Public
				  Utility Division at least fifteen (15) days prior to the effective date of the
				  proposed change for the purpose of receiving a determination whether the
				  modification is in the public interest. Unless the ETC receives written
				  notification that its modification is NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST within fifteen
				  (15) days after its submission, the submission is deemed to be in the public
				  interest and may be implemented.
(k) The ETC shall utilize a third party
				  verification system that has been approved by the Director of the Public
				  Utility Division to verify the customer's identity and address, or obtain a
				  waiver from the Director of the Public Utility Division from this requirement.
(l) The ETC must retain a copy of
				  the signed application for Lifeline Service, and any recertification
				  information for three (3) years.
(m) The ETC shall maintain a database
				  sufficient to identify any duplicates among all companies affiliated with the
				  ETC.
(n) Any Lifeline plan offered
				  by a wireless provider must comply with the minimum service standards for voice
				  services detailed at
				  47 C.F.R. §
											54.408.
(o) In addition to other remedies available
				  to the Commission, violations of the marketing rules may result in a minimum of
				  a thirty (30) days suspension of an ETC's ability to sign up new customers.
(p) The ETC shall comply with the
				  recordkeeping requirements with respect to records on customer identity and
				  addresses, along with corresponding documentation confirming customer
				  eligibility for either State or Federally supported Lifeline Service, as
				  identified in 17 O.S. §
										139.105.
(q) If there is no usage of the wireless
				  provider's handset for thirty (30) days, the ETC shall de-enroll the customer,
				  according to federal guidelines.
Added at 21 Ok Reg 2101, eff 7-1-04 ; Amended at 30 Ok
						Reg 1565, eff 7-11-13