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 Federal  Communications  Commission  FCC  04-  87 
 STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  MICHAEL  J.  COPPS 
 Congress  defined  universal  service  as  an  “evolving  level  of  telecommunications  services.”  As  times  change,  so  must  the  Commission’s  efforts  to  ensure  that  all  Americans  have 
 access  to  services  at  just,  reasonable  and  affordable  rates.  True  to  statutory  intent,  today  we  adjust  and  recalibrate  some  of  our  policies  to  improve  the  effectiveness  of  our  low-  income 
 support  mechanism. 
 I  support  this  action.  I  am  pleased  that  for  the  first  time  we  expand  the  federal  default  eligibility  criteria  to  include  income-  based  criterion.  This  should  make  it  easier  for  households 
 that  no  longer  participate  in  qualifying  assistance  programs  to  participate  in  Lifeline  and  Link-Up.  It  also  should  make  it  simpler  for  households  that  are  subject  to  the  time  limits  associated 
 with  several  federal  public  assistance  programs  under  the  Personal  Responsibility  and  Work  Opportunity  Reconciliation  Act. 


 The  potential  of  our  Lifeline  and  Link-  Up  programs  is  bound  closely  to  the  combined  outreach  efforts  of  carriers,  states  and  the  Commission.  Only  one-  third  of  the  households 
 currently  eligible  for  Lifeline  and  Link-  Up  assistance  subscribe  to  these  programs.  Although  we  enjoy  a  national  telephone  penetration  rate  of  just  below  95  percent,  some  areas  of  this  country— 
 especially  tribal  lands—  have  penetration  rates  that  are  inexcusably  lower.  And  we  must  never  forget  that  there  are  households  in  this  country  without  access  to  basic  telephone  service.  We  are 
 bound  by  the  statute  to  do  more.  The  enhanced  guidelines  for  outreach  provided  by  the  Order  are  a  good  first  step.  And  I  am  pleased  that  the  Further  Notice  of  Proposed  Rulemaking  seeks 
 comment  on  the  need  for  additional  outreach  requirements  that  would  further  strengthen  the  Lifeline  and  Link-  Up  programs.  At  present,  the  Commission’s  rules  require  carriers  to  publicize 
 the  availability  of  these  programs  “in  a  manner  reasonably  designed  to  reach  those  likely  to  qualify  for  the  service.”  I  worry  that  such  a  broad  requirement  is  difficult  to  monitor,  hard  to 
 enforce  and  puts  beyond  the  reach  of  publicity  those  who  would  benefit  most  from  these  programs. 


 The  Joint  Board’s  Recommendation  underlies  the  critical  changes  we  make  today.  I  thank  them  for  their  hard  work  and  valuable  efforts  to  ensure  that  Lifeline  and  Link-  Up  continue 
 to  play  a  role  in  keeping  America  connected. 
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