Database Webinar Provides Details and Timeline

A June 19 webinar presented by USAC and the FCC provided a status report on the National Lifeline Accountability Database (“NLAD”).  USAC announced that it has selected Information Management Consultants (IMC) as the vendor to develop the NLAD, and that it is in the process of selecting an additional third party vendor to verify subscriber addresses and other data submitted by ETCs.  Presenters described various features of the NLAD, including the API, web portal, and batch processing, as well as a benefit transfer process that will allow subscribers to select an ETC from which to receive Lifeline service.  USAC representatives also presented a timeline for completion of the NLAD.  Interface specifications (including data formatting requirements) will be released to ETCs in August 2013, and will be followed by training workshops in September.  In the fourth quarter of 2013, the NLAD system will begin scrubbing data provided by ETCs, and the first set of states (Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Washington) will be integrated into the NLAD in the same period.  Remaining states participating in the NLAD will go online in the first quarter of 2014.  ETCs may volunteer to participate in a beta version of the NLAD prior to launch.  USAC will post materials on its website concerning beta participation, workshops, and frequently-asked questions.