§ 54.1801 Participating providers.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 18180, Apr. 9, 2026. (a) Eligible telecommunications carriers. A broadband provider that is designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier may participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program as a participating provider. (b) Other broadband providers. A broadband provider that is not designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier may seek approval from the Wireline Competition Bureau to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program as a participating provider. (1) The Wireline Competition Bureau shall review and act on applications to be designated as a participating provider on an expedited basis. Such applications shall contain: (i) The states or territories in which the provider plans to participate; (ii) The service areas in which the provider has the authority, if needed, to operate in each State or territory, but has not been designated an eligible telecommunications carrier; and, (iii) Certifications of the provider's plan to combat waste, fraud, and abuse, which shall: (A) Confirm a household's eligibility for the Program through either the National Verifier or a Commission-approved eligibility verification process prior to seeking reimbursement for the respective subscriber; (B) Follow all enrollment requirements and obtain all certifications as required by the Program, including providing eligible households with information describing the Program's eligibility requirements, one-per-household rule, and enrollment procedures; (C) Interact with the necessary Administrator systems, including the National Verifier, National Lifeline Accountability Database, and Representative Accountability Database, before submitting claims for reimbursement, including performing the necessary checks to ensure the household is not receiving duplicative benefits within the Program; (D) De-enroll from the Program any household it has a reasonable basis to believe is no longer eligible to receive the benefit consistent with Program requirements; (E) Comply with the Pr