§  54.1601   Participating providers.

   (a) Eligible telecommunications carriers. A broadband provider that is
   designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier may participate in
   the Emergency Benefit Broadband 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 Emergency
   Broadband Benefit 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 and documentation of the provider's plan to combat
   waste, fraud, and abuse.

   (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the Wireline
   Competition Bureau shall automatically approve as a participating
   provider a broadband provider that has an established program as of
   April 1, 2020, that is widely available and offers internet service
   offerings to eligible households and maintains verification processes
   that are sufficient to avoid fraud, waste, and abuse. Such applications
   seeking automatic approval 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) A description, supported by documentation, of the established
   program with which the provider seeks to qualify for automatic
   admission to the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.

   (c) Election notice. All participating providers must file an election
   notice with the Administrator. The election notice must be submitted in
   a manner and form consistent with the direction of the Wireline
   Competition Bureau and the Administrator. At a minimum the election
   notice should contain:

   (1) The states or territories in which the provider plans to
   participate in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program;

   (2) A statement that, in each state or territory, the provider was a
   “broadband provider” as of December 1, 2020;

   (3) A list of states or territories where the provider is an existing
   Eligible Telecommunications Carrier, if any;

   (4) A list of states or territories where the provider received
   Wireline Competition Bureau approval, whether automatic or expedited,
   to participate, if any;

   (5) Whether the provider intends to distribute connected devices;

   (6) A description of the internet service offerings for which the
   provider plans to seek reimbursement in each state or territory; and,

   (7) Documentation demonstrating the standard rates for those services
   in each state; and any other information necessary to establish
   participating providers in the Administrator's systems.

   (d) Suspension and debarment. The prohibition on participation and
   suspension and debarment rules established in 47 CFR 54.8, shall apply
   to activities associated with or related to the Emergency Broadband
   Benefit Program.