\tSprint warned changes meant to improve a federal programme offering subsidies for mobile service could backfire, ultimately making access less affordable for low-income citizens.<\/p>\n
In March 2016, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved new minimum service standards for its Lifeline programme, which included plans to boost customer data allotments. Following a series of predetermined increases, annual updates starting in December 2019 would set the required Lifeline data allowance at 70 per cent of average mobile data usage per US household.<\/p>\n
But operators were shocked when the FCC recently announced the minimum standard would increase from 2GB per month to 8.75GB per month.<\/p>\n
Sprint argued in a filing such a drastic jump without a corresponding increase in financial support from the programme would force it to charge customers who currently receive service for free. The operator expressed concern implementing even a modest fee “would lead to a very sharp drop in Lifeline customers”.<\/p>\n
It asked the FCC to delay the new standard until the release of the agency’s State of the Lifeline Marketplace report in 2021.<\/p>\n
Sprint, through its Assurance Wireless prepaid brand, is one of the largest providers of Lifeline service.<\/p>\n
The operator is not the only one airing such concerns. A number of industry associations and public advocacy groups made similar arguments, petitioning the FCC to put off the change.<\/p>\n
In particular, CTIA argued the FCC could not have foreseen the rise of unlimited plans when setting its data allowance formula, a development it said produced a “significantly different result than the gradual ascent” the agency was aiming for.<\/p>\n
The FCC is currently seeking feedback on the petition, with comments due by 13 September.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sprint warned changes meant to improve a federal programme offering subsidies for mobile service could …<\/p>\n
The post US operators balk at new Lifeline standards<\/a> appeared first on Mobile World Live<\/a>.<\/p>\n