Tag Archives: fcc

1 million households sign up for FCC’s monthly internet discount

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WASHINGTON – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced one million households enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program in the first week. The program provides monthly discounts on internet bills for families in need.

“The high demand we’ve seen for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program demonstrates what many of us already knew to be true – too many families are struggling to get online, even in 2021.  Help is here.  As an agency, we’re continuing to focus our efforts on reaching as many communities as possible, so they can get the support they need,” said FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

Over 900 broadband providers have agreed to take part in the program.  The benefit is available to eligible new, prior, and existing customers of participating providers.  Customers can sign up by contacting a participating provider, enroll online at https://www.getemergencybroadband.org, or sign up via mail.  To learn more or learn where to access a mail-in application, call (833) 511-0311.

Households can qualify several ways such as through their use of existing assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, Lifeline or if a child relies on reduced-price school meals programs. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is also available to households who are eligible for a broadband provider’s existing COVID relief program, to those who have received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year, and to those low-income households who suffered a large loss in income during the pandemic due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020.

Mandatory 10-digit dialing set for dozens of area codes

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Joplin, Mo. / Pittsburg, Kan. – Residents in several states will soon change to 10-digit calling to accommodate the national “988” National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Beginning July 16, 2022, callers can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 988. Until then, callers will continue to dial 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

Starting April 24, 2021, residents are urged to start dialing 10 instead of 7 digits for local calls (Click here for list of affected area codes). You can find more information from the FCC further below in this article.

Seven-digit dialing will still be completed until the 10-digit dialing becomes mandatory on Oct. 24, 2021, to provide adjustment time to the new dialing pattern. Any local calls made in those area codes using seven-digits will not go through after Oct. 24.

Missouri

In Missouri, the affected area codes include 314, 417, 660 and 816.

So here’s how it’ll work. You will need to first dial the area code and then the number.

Missouri is one of 37 states required to enact 10-digit dialing for select area codes for the change.

Kansas

Kansas residents in the area codes 785 or 620 will soon be required to use 10-digit dialing when making local calls.

It will take time to get in the habit of using 10-digit dialing (example: 785-XXX-XXXX), so a practice period has been established.  Callers are encouraged to begin using 10-digit calling on April 24, 2021. Any calls dialed with 7-digits will still go through during this practice period.

Beginning October 24, 2021, callers in 785 and 620 area codes must use 10-digit dialing or the call will not go through. The only exceptions are any three digit abbreviated numbers available in the community, such as 911. Callers will still dial 1 + the area code and telephone number for all long distance calls.

Carrier Support Links

Here are the carrier support pages for:

Ten things to know about 10-digit dialing_3-29-21

Information from the FCC

Call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline today.

Veterans should Press 1 to be connected with the Veterans Crisis Line.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available today, providing suicide prevention and mental health crisis assistance at 1-800-273-8255 and through online chats. 988 is not a nationwide calling code right now.

The Veterans Crisis Line is available today, providing Veteran specific suicide prevention and crisis assistance at 1 800 273 8255 (Press 1), by texting 838255, and through online chats at veteranscrisisline.net.

On July 16, 2020, the FCC adopted rules to establish 988 as the new, nationwide, easy-to-remember 3-digit phone number for Americans in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors.

The rules require phone service providers1 to direct all 988 calls to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by July 16, 2022. During the transition to 988, Americans who need help should continue to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK) and through online chats. Veterans and Service members may reach the Veterans Crisis Line by pressing 1 after dialing, chatting online at www.veteranscrisisline.net, or texting 838255.

The new rules will apply to all telecommunications carriers as well as all interconnected and one-way Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers. They provide for a two-year transition, reflecting the nature of this nationwide effort, including the need for network changes and providing time for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to prepare for the expected increase in the volume of calls. Under these rules, calls to 988 will be directed to 1-800-273-TALK, which will remain operational during the 988 transition and after it is completed.

To ensure that calls to 988 reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, all covered providers will be required to implement 10-digit dialing in areas that both use seven-digit dialing and use 988 as the first three numbers in seven-digit phone numbers. Mobile callers are unaffected as mobile calls already require 10-digit dialing.

Timeline for Transition to 10-Digit Dialing:

  • Beginning April 24, 2021, to begin to become accustomed to 10-digit dialing, consumers should begin dialing 10 digits (3-digit area code + 7-digit telephone number) for all local non-mobile calls. If they forget and dial just 7 digits, their call will still be completed.
  • Beginning October 24, 2021, consumers must dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7 digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. Consumers must hang up and dial again using the area code and the 7-digit number.
  • Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing “988” will route calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

The North American Numbering Plan Administrator has a complete listing of affected area codes and resource materials for local government and community organizations.

In the meantime, anyone in the United States experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress should call 1-800-273-8255.

1 These rules apply to all telecommunications carriers and interconnected voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers, including one-way VoIP providers.