Tracfone Wireless has agreed to settle with the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau over allegations that it had violated the agency’s Lifeline and/or Emergency Broadband Benefit (BBB) program rules. If you can recall, the company self-identified and reported certain instances wherein it believed it violated such rules. The initial report was made shortly after Verizon acquired the brand in 2021.
With the settlement, Tracfone will be paying a $17,487,000 fine for civil penalty on top of the $6,013,000 for other Lifeline violations from its 2020 Notice of Apparent Liability. They have also agreed to compliance measures.
Enforcement Bureau’s Chief, Loyaan A. Egal, said:
“Whether attributable to fraud or lax internal controls, or both, we will vigorously pursue allegations of misconduct that harms critical FCC programs designed to help those most in need of communications-related services. This settlement sends a strong message that we are determined to protect the integrity of these programs.”
Source: Fierce Wireless
