[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 3]
[Revised as of October 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR54.401]

[Page 129]
 
                       TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
 
        CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
 
PART 54_UNIVERSAL SERVICE--Table of Contents
 
      Subpart E_Universal Service Support for Low-Income Consumers
 
Sec. 54.401  Lifeline defined.

    (a) As used in this subpart, Lifeline means a retail local service 
offering:
    (1) That is available only to qualifying low-income consumers;
    (2) For which qualifying low-income consumers pay reduced charges as 
a result of application of the Lifeline support amount described in 
Sec. 54.403; and
    (3) That includes the services or functionalities enumerated in 
Sec. 54.101 (a)(1) through (a)(9). The carriers shall offer toll 
limitation to all qualifying low-income consumers at the time such 
consumers subscribe to Lifeline service. If the consumer elects to 
receive toll limitation, that service shall become part of that 
consumer's Lifeline service.
    (b) [Reserved
    (c) Eligible telecommunications carriers may not collect a service 
deposit in order to initiate Lifeline service, if the qualifying low-
income consumer voluntarily elects toll limitation service from the 
carrier, where available. If toll limitation services are unavailable, 
the carrier may charge a service deposit.
    (d) The state commission shall file or require the eligible 
telecommunications carrier to file information with the Administrator 
demonstrating that the carrier's Lifeline plan meets the criteria set 
forth in this subpart and stating the number of qualifying low-income 
consumers and the amount of state assistance. Eligible 
telecommunications carriers not subject to state commission jurisdiction 
also shall make such a filing with the Administrator. Lifeline 
assistance shall be made available to qualifying low-income consumers as 
soon as the Administrator certifies that the carrier's Lifeline plan 
satisfies the criteria set out in this subpart.
    (e) Consistent with Sec. 52.33(a)(1)(i)(C), eligible 
telecommunications carriers may not charge Lifeline customers a monthly 
number-portability charge.

[62 FR 32948, June 17, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 2128, Jan. 13, 1998; 64 
FR 60358, Nov. 5, 1999; 65 FR 47905, Aug. 4, 2000; 69 FR 34600, June 22, 
2004]