§ 54.401   Lifeline defined.

   (a)  As used in this subpart, Lifeline means a non-transferable retail
   service offering provided directly to qualifying low-income consumers:

   (1) For which qualifying low-income consumers pay reduced charges as a
   result of application of the Lifeline support amount described in § 54.403;
   and

   (2) That provides qualifying low-income consumers with voice telephony
   service as specified in § 54.101(a). Toll limitation service does not need to
   be offered for any Lifeline service that does not distinguish between toll
   and  non-toll  calls  in  the  pricing  of the service. If an eligible
   telecommunications carrier charges Lifeline subscribers a fee for toll calls
   that is in addition to the per month or per billing cycle price of the
   subscribers'  Lifeline service, the carrier must offer toll limitation
   service at no charge to its subscribers as part of its Lifeline service
   offering.

   (b) Eligible telecommunications carriers may allow qualifying low-income
   consumers to apply Lifeline discounts to any residential service plan that
   includes voice telephony service, including bundled packages of voice and
   data services; and plans that include optional calling features such as, but
   not  limited  to,  caller identification, call waiting, voicemail, and
   three-way calling. Eligible telecommunications carriers may also permit
   qualifying low-income consumers to apply their Lifeline discount to family
   shared calling plans.

   (c) Eligible telecommunications carriers may not collect a service deposit
   in order to initiate Lifeline service for plans that:

   (1) Do not charge subscribers additional fees for toll calls; or

   (2)  That  charge  additional  fees for toll calls, but the subscriber
   voluntarily elects toll limitation service.

   (d) When an eligible telecommunications carrier is designated by a state
   commission,  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 describing the terms and conditions of any voice
   telephony service plans offered to Lifeline subscribers, including details
   on the number of minutes provided as part of the plan, additional charges,
   if any, for toll calls, and rates for each such plan. To the extent the
   eligible telecommunications carrier offers plans to Lifeline subscribers
   that  are  generally  available  to the public, it may provide summary
   information  regarding such plans, such as a link to a public Web site
   outlining the terms and conditions of such plans. 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  § 52.33(a)(1)(i)(C)  of  this  chapter, eligible
   telecommunications carriers may not charge Lifeline customers a monthly
   number-portability charge.

   [ 77 FR 12967 , Mar. 2, 2012, as amended at  80 FR 40935 , July 14, 2015]

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