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  "description": "Bureau keeps voice-only subsidies alive for one more year",
  "path": "/fcc-keeps-lifeline-voice-and-data-benefits-steady-through-2026/",
  "publishedAt": "2025-07-07T13:29:17.000Z",
  "site": "https://broadbandbreakfast.com",
  "tags": [
    "_extended a waiver_",
    "All Videos from Speeding BEAD Summit",
    "_Delete, Delta, Delete proceeding_",
    "_Universal Service Fund_",
    "_since 2016_",
    "_has been delayed_",
    "_The $2.9 billion program_",
    "_served as a substitute_",
    "_Affordable Connectivity Program_"
  ],
  "textContent": "WASHINGTON, July 7, 2025 – The Wireline Competition Bureau _extended a waiver_ Tuesday pausing the phase-out of Lifeline support for voice-only services and an increase in the Lifeline minimum service standard for mobile broadband data capacity.\n\nThe extension, which will last for a year, will keep the minimum service standard for mobile broadband data capacity at 4.5 GB per month, rather than allowing it to rise to 29 GB per month beginning in December. It will also keep support for services that meet only the voice minimum service standard at $5.25 a month, rather than eliminating it in most areas on December 1, 2025.\n\nThe WCB, headed by Chief **Joseph Calascione** , explained the reasoning for its decision, noting that “absent this action, the minimum service standard for mobile broadband data capacity would have experienced its largest increase since Lifeline minimum service standards were established.”\n\n\n\n_****FROM SPEEDING BEAD SUMMIT****_\n _****Panel 1: How Are States Thinking About Reasonable Costs Now?****_\n_****Panel 2: Finding the State Versus Federal Balance in BEAD****_\n _****Panel 3: Reacting to the New BEAD NOFO Guidance****_\n _****Panel 4: Building, Maintaining and Adopting Digital Workforce Skills****_\n\n All Videos from Speeding BEAD Summit \n\nThe WCB also said that the waiver “will avoid changes that could potentially result in the disruption of communications for Lifeline subscribers as the Commission establishes and evaluates the record in the _Delete, Delta, Delete proceeding_.”\n\nThe Lifeline program has provided a discount on phone service for qualifying low-income consumers since 1985. Funded by the _Universal Service Fund_ and administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company, the program provides a $9.25 monthly subsidy for broadband services and a $5.25 monthly subsidy for voice support.\n\nThe FCC has sought to phase down Lifeline support for voice-only services _since 2016_. That phaseout was scheduled to occur in December 2021, but _has been delayed_ by one-year waivers ever since. _The $2.9 billion program_ has _served as a substitute_, albeit one with a lower payout, for many low-income households after the _Affordable Connectivity Program_ phased out in 2024.",
  "title": "FCC Keeps Lifeline Voice and Data Benefits Steady Through 2026",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-11T03:26:51.223Z"
}