ITIF strongly supports providing subsidies to help low-income Americans afford the communications services that are increasingly essential for modern life. Bringing the Lifeline program into the 21st century by adding support for broadband, coupled with common-sense reforms around eligibility administration and program oversight, should be change everyone supports. Straightforward steps to cutting waste, fraud, and abuse in the program, while extending a key component of universal service makes this is a win for both sides of the aisle. But the FCC should be focused on giving program participants as much choice and flexibility as possible, not restricted to particular service offerings that functionally require them contribute personal funds. The FCC should look to other means to manage program finances instead of minimum service requirements.
