I'd assume you're right. "ability to participate" in a program has to
be a distinct thing from having internet service.
On 5/4/2021 11:05 PM, Forrest Christian (List Account) wrote:
There is another, alternative, way to read that paragraph, in that it
might be saying something like "just because they were a deadbeat in
the past, you can't deny them an EBB subsidy". Not "if they're an
EBB customer, you have to provide them service without regard to their
ability to pay".
I think this hinges on what it means by "ability to participate".
Does it mean you have to accept people who are EBB eligible
regardless, or does it mean that you can't tell customers that they
have to be current to retain their EBB subsidy.
The first option would be stupid (but not beyond the government to put
into rules), the second seems reasonable - you can't use EBB
eligibility as leverage to get customers to pay. "If you don't stay
current, we'll prevent you from getting your EBB subsidy and as such
you'll have to pay even more"
On Mon, May 3, 2021 at 10:05 AM Mark - Myakka Technologies
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
For those that are doing EBB, what are your plans for non-paying
customers? In the order there is the following clause
"participating providers must not deny an eligible household the
ability to participate in the EBB Program based on any past or present
arrearages with that provider"
I read that as we can not terminate service is a customer does not pay
their share of the bill. In theory a customer can sign up for a $125
plan, not pay a penny and tell us to go pound sand.
We are planning to tell all EBB customers if their account is in
arrearages, they will be reduced to our $55/month plan until they are
paid in full. I'm willing to eat $5/month.
I have sent an email to the FCC to see if this would be allowed under
the order. I'm waiting on a response.
--
Thanks,
Mark mailto:[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>
Myakka Technologies, Inc.
www.Myakka.com <http://www.Myakka.com>
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- Forrest
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