STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS
Re: Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service; TracFone Wireless, Inc.; Petitions for 
Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the States of New York, Florida, 
Virginia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, Delaware, New 
Hampshire, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia for the Limited Purpose of Offering 
Lifeline Service to Qualified Households, CC Docket No. 96-45, Order.
For quite some time the public debate has centered on whether and how the Universal Service 
system’s high-cost fund should support wireless CETCs.  While an important policy discussion for sure, 
sometimes we lose sight of the fact that there is an entire segment of consumers who would lack a phone 
at all and would easily become disconnected from society were it not for the support of the Lifeline 
program.  I am very pleased that today the Commission takes a moment to focus on making it easier for 
low-income consumers to receive wireless phone service.  The Petitioner is now eligible for Lifeline 
support to provide wireless phone service in ten states and the District of Columbia.  To some who own 
multiple phones of every size and shape, such a decision may seem inconsequential; but to the many 
working poor in this country phone service remains essential to staying connected with family, employers, 
and the communities in which they live.  A wireless option will only make it easier for these consumers to 
stay connected.  The Order recognizes both the importance of providing consumers with a wireless option 
and at the same time ensures that consumers have essential emergency services available to them.  For 
these reasons, I am pleased to approve this item.