Docket No. 4020 - Rules and Regulations Governing the Certification and Verification Procedures for Telecommunications Carriers Eligible to Receive Payments From the Federal Universal Service Fund and Certification and Verification Processes for Compliance With Providing Lifeline and Linkup Service

Status of Docket: Closed.

On December4, 2008, Cox Rhode Island Telcom LLC filed a Petition for Adoption of the FCC's Lifeline Certification and Verification Procedures for Eligible Telecommunications Companies.

The Commission hereby gives Notice of Rulemaking and Public Hearing to adopt new rules entitled "Rules and Regulations Governing the Certification and Verification Procedures for Telecommunications Carriers Eligible to Receive Payments From the Federal Universal Service Fund and Certification and Verification Processes for Compliance With Providing Lifeline and Linkup Service". The proposed rules and regulations reflect a comprehensive rewrite of the currently effective regulations entitled "Certification of Telecommunications Carriers as Eligible to Receive Payments from the Federal Universal Service Fund" effective date July 10, 1998. Accordingly, the Commission plans to repeal the existing rules and regulations through this rulemaking process.

The hearing is scheduled November 19, 2009 @ 9:30 A.M. at the Commission's office. Public comments will be accepted orally, on the day of the hearing, or in writing, by submitting comments to the Commission Clerk not later November 23, 2009.

• Division of Public Utilities and Carriers - Comments on Proposed Rules (11/13/09)
• Cox RI Telcom LLC - Comments on Proposed Rules (11/24/09)
• Verizon RI - Response to record requests issued at the November 19 hearing (12/15/09)
• Cox RI Telcom - Response to record requests issued at the November 19 hearing (12/17/09)

PUC approves and issues new rules entitled "Rules and Regulations Governing the Certification and Verification Procedures for Telecommunications Carriers Eligible to Receive Payments From the Federal Universal Service Fund and Certification and Verification Processes for Compliance With Providing Lifeline and Linkup Service" effective February 4, 2010.

PUC issues Report Order No. 19890 summarizing comments and rationale for adoption of new rules. Report issued 1/25/10.

Division of Public Utilities - Letter requesting that all ETCs electing to use any thing less than 100% verification use the attached verification form and reminder letters for certification of eligibility in the Lifeline Telephone Assitance and Link-Up America Assitance Program. (1/26/10)

Cox RI Telcom - Verification Letter and Reminder Letter to be used for verification of continued eligibility of lifeline customers pursuant to Rules (1/27/09)