VIDEO: Communications Safety Net – How Lifeline Connects Families and Communities @NewAmerica #fcc #LifelineWeek

This last week was designated Lifeline Awareness Week. Since 1985, the FCC’s Lifeline program has provided a discount on phone service for qualifying low-income consumers. In 2005, Lifeline discounts were made available to qualifying low-income consumers on pre-paid wireless service plans. Lifeline is part of the Universal Service Fund. In December 2012 the FCC announced it had saved $210m through aggressive fraud elimination, $41m of which was redirected to broadband adoption programs. The future of the program is under consideration by policy makers. On Thursday September 12 2013 more than 80 civic groups wrote to congress urging further support for the program.

That same day, the New America Foundation, along with the National Urban League and others, hosted Communications Safety Net – How Lifeline Connects Families and Communities – an event to bring together advocates and policy makers to discuss the importance of the Lifeline program. FCC Acting Chair Mignon Clyburn delivered a keynote at the event. Video is below.