Okla. Admin. Code § 165:59-9-3

Current through Vol. 42, No. 7, December 16, 2024

Section 165:59-9-3 - Oklahoma Lifeline Service Program

(a) The Oklahoma Lifeline Service Program is a program designed to operate in conjunction with the Federal Lifeline program, to provide a monthly credit to the monthly bill of qualifying residential subscribers for basic local exchange service, in an amount equal to such amount as may be established by 17 O.S. § 139.105.

(b) In order to qualify for the Oklahoma Lifeline Service Program, a customer must meet all applicable requirements of 47 CFR §§ 54.400 through 54.422 and /or 17 O.S. § 139.105.

(c) Each eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider shall file tariffs implementing a Lifeline Service Program that is consistent with this Subchapter.

(d) Lifeline Assistance shall not be available on a retroactive basis to the customers.

(e) Upon notification to the eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider, the credit will be discontinued for customers who no longer qualify for Lifeline Assistance.

(f) Lifeline Service benefits are applicable only to the primary line at the customer's principal residence. An applicant for Lifeline Service may report only one address in the state as the principal place of residence.

(g) As a participant in Lifeline Assistance, customers will be eligible to receive Toll Restriction Service at no charge.

(h) Each eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider with approved Lifeline Service tariffs shall advertise the availability of the Lifeline Service Program within its exchange(s) or service territory on, at a minimum, an annual basis.

(i) The wireless eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider must provide access to its own customer service department by dialing 611 from the wireless handset or have a toll free number for contacting the eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider programmed in the phone and clearly identified.

(j) All enrollment in any Lifeline Services from any outdoor mobile location shall be governed by OAC 165:55-23-16.

(k) Any wireless handset provided in conjunction with the Lifeline Service must clearly and permanently identify the provider of the service.

(l) An eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider may not provide Lifeline Service purely by resale without a Commission order.

(m) An approved Lifeline tariff may not be modified without submitting the modification to the OLF Administrator at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the effective date of the proposed change for the purpose of receiving a determination whether the modification is in the public interest. Unless the eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider receives written notification that its modification is NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST within fifteen (15) calendar days after its submission, the submission is deemed to be in the public interest and may be implemented.

(n) The eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider shall utilize a third party verification system that has been approved by the OLF Administrator to verify the customer's identity and address, or obtain a waiver from the OLF Administrator from this requirement.

(o) The eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider must retain a copy of the signed application for Lifeline Service, and any recertification information for five (5) years.

(p) The eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider shall maintain a database sufficient to identify any duplicates among all companies associated with the eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider.

(q) Unless otherwise approved by Commission Order, any Lifeline plan on Tribal Land must include a minimum of one thousand (1,000) minutes of local voice use or unlimited domestic calling, to be considered in the public interest. Any Lifeline plan on non-Tribal Land must include a minimum of five-hundred (500) minutes of local voice use to be considered in the public interest.

(r) All marketing efforts must clearly identify the eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider actually providing the Lifeline Service.

(s) In addition to other remedies available to the Commission, violations of the marketing rules may result in a minimum of a thirty (30) days suspension of an eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider's ability to sign up new customers and/or a fine as authorized by 17 O.S. § 139.105 after notice and hearing.

(t) The eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider seeking reimbursement from the OLF for the provisioning of Lifeline services shall also note on the certified written statement obtained from the customer the name of the employee or representative who verified the customer's eligibility for Lifeline service and the type of documentation reviewed.

(u) Prior to obtaining money from the OLF, an eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider must show compliance with 17 O.S. § 139.105 (E).

Okla. Admin. Code § 165:59-9-3

Added at 15 Ok Reg 1195, eff 1-6-98 (emergency); Added at 15 Ok Reg 1915, eff 7-1-98 ; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2360, eff 7-1-99 ; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2017, eff 7-1-02 ; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 2255, eff 7-25-11 ; Amended at 30 Ok Reg 1581, eff 7-11-13

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 32, Issue 23, August 17, 2015, eff. 8/27/2015

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 34, Issue 24, September 1, 2017, eff. 9/11/2017