Telecommunications Carriers Eligible for Support; Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Several Petitions for Forbearance

In this order, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) grants limited forbearance from the requirement of the Commission's rules that the service area of an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) conform to the service area of any rural telephone company serving the same area. In particular, this grant of forbearance applies to any ETC that has been designated by a state or the Commission, as well as pending and future requests by telecommunications carriers that seek limited designation, as an ETC to participate only in the Lifeline program (Lifeline-only ETC). The Commission concludes that forbearance furthers the Act's and Commission's goals of ensuring the availability of voice service to low-income consumers.