Re: [AFMUG] EBB Program

Wed, 05 May 2021 15:04:53 -0700

Title: Re: [AFMUG] EBB Program
Mark,

I'm planning on having a little document the customer will have to electronically sign.  Just going to layout some rules and policies they are agreeing to.  Going to advise them to keep their email address up to date and optionally give us a cell phone we can call or text when we have to do the wonderful opt-in back in for every customer at the end of the program(if it ever ends).  I will also put the automatic package adjustment on unpaid accounts in that document.

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Best regards,
Mark                            mailto:[email protected]

Myakka Technologies, Inc.
www.Myakka.com

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Wednesday, May 5, 2021, 5:45:29 PM, you wrote:


 The FCC told WISPA that you have to get the customers permission in order to change speed, yet you are not allowed to disconnect them.

Pretty contradictory - as usual.   I’m not sure what the rules are on sending Jaba over to collect your five bucks.

Mark


 On May 5, 2021, at 5:11 PM, Brian Webster <[email protected]> wrote:


Re: [AFMUG] EBB Program
PrePay for any services/features that are over and above your basic $50 a month plan. If they don’t pre-pay for the added services they get bumped back to the basic $50 plan features and speeds.

Thank you,
Brian Webster

From: AF [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Adam Moffett
Sent: Wednesday, May 5, 2021 3:47 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [AFMUG] EBB Program

"A provider may not disconnect a household for non-payment"
You're thinking pre-pay is a workaround?  "I'm not disconnecting them, they just haven't paid for the next month."
I'd be curious to see how well that flies, but I won't be the one to try it.

On 5/5/2021 1:27 PM, Brian Webster wrote:

 And/or any of your plans that are above $50, just make them prepay per month, the additional amount.

Thank you,
Brian Webster

From: AF [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Adam Moffett
Sent: Wednesday, May 5, 2021 11:55 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [AFMUG] EBB Program

Wow.
So make sure you have a $50/month plan you can move them to?

On 5/5/2021 11:46 AM, Mark - Myakka Technologies wrote:

 Official response from FCC

"Thank you for reaching out with your question.  

Your interpretation is correct.  A provider may not disconnect a household for non-payment associated with the EBB-supported service during the EBB Program.  Upon the conclusion of the EBB Program, the provider’s generally applicable terms and conditions would apply and the provider could take action for that non-payment consistent with those terms and conditions.  

In the situation you describe where a household is not making payments on their EBB-supported service, a provider can move the household to a lower-priced tier provided that the package also qualifies for EBB Program (i.e., was offered as of 12/1/20). "


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Best regards,
Mark                            mailto:[email protected]

Myakka Technologies, Inc.
www.Myakka.com

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Wednesday, May 5, 2021, 10:21:30 AM, you wrote:

 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]> 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.


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Thanks,
Mark                          mailto:[email protected]

Myakka Technologies, Inc.
www.Myakka.com


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- Forrest



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