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Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-176
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, DC 20554
In the Matter of
i-wireless, LLC
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
File No.:  EB-IHD-13-00010656
Acct. No.:  201432080003
FRN:  0016194292
ORDER
Adopted:  December 22, 2017 Released:  December 29, 2017
By the Commission:  Commissioner Clyburn approving in part, dissenting in part, and issuing a statement.
1. The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) has entered into a Consent 
Decree to resolve its investigation into whether i-wireless, LLC (i-wireless) violated the Commission’s 
rules by requesting and/or receiving support from the Lifeline program of the Universal Service Fund 
(USF or Fund) for ineligible, duplicative subscribers, as identified by the Universal Service 
Administrative Company (USAC) through periodic in-depth validations (IDVs).  To settle this matter, i-
wireless will implement a compliance plan to ensure that it adheres to the Commission’s rules and will 
pay a Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollar ($750,000) settlement amount.
2. After reviewing the terms of the Consent Decree and evaluating the facts before us, 
including that USAC has recovered the overpayments for ineligible duplicate support received by i-
wireless for the time periods covered by the IDVs conducted by USAC, we find that the public interest 
would be served by adopting the Consent Decree and resolving the Notice of Apparent Liability for 
Forfeiture (NAL) regarding i-wireless’s compliance with the Lifeline program rules set forth in Sections 
54.407, 54.409, and 54.410 of the Commission’s rules.
1
3. In the absence of material new evidence relating to this matter, we do not set for hearing 
the question of i-wireless’s basic qualifications to hold or obtain any Commission license or 
authorization.
2
4. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Sections 4(i) and 503(b) of the Act,
3
 the 
attached Consent Decree IS ADOPTED and its terms incorporated by reference.
5. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the above-captioned matter IS TERMINATED and 
the NAL IS RESOLVED in accordance with the terms of the attached Consent Decree. 
1
 47 CFR §§ 54.407, 54.409, 54.410.
2
 See 47 CFR § 1.93(b).
3
 47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i), 503(b).
Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-176
2
6. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Order and Consent Decree shall be 
sent by first class mail and certified mail, return receipt requested, to Gary Millerchip, Acting Chief 
Executive Officer, i-wireless, LLC, 1 Levee Way, Suite 3104, Newport, KY 41071, and John J. 
Heitmann, Counsel for i-wireless, LLC, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, 3050 K Street, N.W., Suite 400, 
Washington, D.C. 20007-5108. 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Marlene H. Dortch
Secretary
Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-176
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, DC 20554
In the Matter of
i-wireless, LLC
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
File No.:  EB-IHD-13-00010656
Acct. No.:  201432080003
FRN:  0016194292
CONSENT DECREE
1. The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) and i-wireless, LLC (i-wireless 
or the Company), by their authorized representatives, hereby enter into this Consent Decree for the 
purpose of settling the Commission’s investigation, as defined below, into whether i-wireless violated 
Sections 54.407, 54.409, and 54.410 of the Commission’s rules by requesting and/or receiving support 
from the Lifeline program of the Universal Service Fund (USF or Fund) for ineligible subscribers. 
I. DEFINITIONS
2. For the purposes of this Consent Decree, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Act” means the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
4
(b) “Adopting Order” means an order of the Commission adopting the terms of this 
Consent Decree without change, addition, deletion, or modification.
(c) “Agents” means all contractors and/or subcontractors acting on behalf of the 
Company with respect to the sales, marketing, enrollment of new customers, and 
other duties related to the Company’s responsibilities under the Lifeline Rules.
(d) “Bureau” means the Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications 
Commission.
(e) “Commission” and “FCC” mean the Federal Communications Commission and all 
of its bureaus and offices.
(f) “Communications Laws” means collectively, the Act, the Rules, and the published 
and promulgated orders and decisions of the Commission to which i-wireless is 
subject by virtue of its business activities.
(g) “Compliance Plan” means the compliance obligations, program, and procedures 
described in this Consent Decree at paragraph 14.
(h) “Covered Employees” means all employees of i-wireless who perform, or supervise, 
oversee, or manage the performance of, duties that relate to i-wireless’s 
responsibilities under the Lifeline Rules.
(i) “Covered Third Party” means any non-employee Person, as defined herein, that 
performs services involving the enrollment and de-enrollment of Lifeline 
consumers, or any duties that relate to the Lifeline eligibility and de-enrollment 
rules, pursuant to a contractual relationship or agreement with i-wireless, including 
any person performing work related to the Lifeline Rules on behalf of i-wireless.
4
 47 U.S.C. § 151, et seq.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-176
2
(j) “Effective Date” means the date by which both the Bureau and i-wireless have 
signed the Consent Decree.
(k) “ETC” means an eligible telecommunications carrier designated under, or operating 
pursuant to, Section 214(e) of the Communications Act, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 
§ 214(e), as eligible to offer and receive support for one or more services that are 
supported by the federal universal support mechanisms.
(l) “Investigation” means the investigation commenced by the Bureau in File No. 
EB-IHD-13-00010656, and in i-wireless, LLC, Notice of Apparent Liability for 
Forfeiture and Order, 28 FCC Rcd 15381 (2013), regarding whether i-wireless 
violated the Lifeline Rules.
(m) “i-wireless” or “Company” means i-wireless, LLC, and its affiliates, subsidiaries, 
predecessors-in-interest, and successors-in-interest.
(n) “Lifeline Rules” means Title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 54.400–
54.423, Section 254 of the Act, and Commission orders related to Lifeline service to 
low-income consumers.
(o) “Operating Procedures” means the standard internal operating procedures and 
compliance policies established by i-wireless to implement the Compliance Plan.
(p) “Parties” means i-wireless and the Commission, each of which is a “Party.”
(q) “Person” shall have the same meaning defined in Section 153(39) of the 
Communications Act, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 153(39).
(r) “Rules” means the Commission’s regulations found in Title 47 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations.
(s) “USAC” means the Universal Service Administrative Company, which serves as the 
administrator for the federal Universal Service Fund.
5 
II. BACKGROUND
3. Lifeline is a Universal Service Fund (USF) program that helps qualifying consumers 
connect to jobs, family members, and emergency services.
6
  Lifeline service is provided by designated 
eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended 
(Act).
7
  An ETC may generally request Federal Lifeline support in the amount of $9.25 per month for 
each qualifying low-income consumer it serves, provided the ETC passes through the support amount to 
the consumer.
8
  To request reimbursement, ETCs must certify to the Universal Service Administrative 
Company (USAC) that they have followed the Rules relating to Lifeline.
9
  Section 54.407 of the Rules 
specifies that the support provided to an ETC is limited to “the number of actual qualifying low-income 
5
 See 47 CFR § 54.701.
6
 Lifeline & Link Up Reform & Modernization, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 27 
FCC Rcd 6656, 6662–67, paras. 11–18 (2012) (Lifeline Reform Order); see 47 CFR §§ 54.400–54.423.
7
 47 U.S.C. § 254(e) (providing that “only an eligible telecommunications carrier designated under section 214(e) of 
this title shall be eligible to receive specific Federal universal service support”); 47 U.S.C. § 214(e) (prescribing the 
method by which carriers are designated as ETCs).
8
 See 47 CFR § 54.403(a)(1) and (2).   ETCs may receive additional federal Lifeline support of up to $25 per month 
for providing Lifeline service to an eligible resident of Tribal lands, as defined in 47 CFR § 54.409(e).  See 47 CFR 
§ 54.403(a)(3).
9
 See 47 CFR § 54.407(d).  USAC administers the Lifeline program and is responsible for support calculation and 
disbursement payments to ETCs.  See 47 CFR § 54.702(b).
Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-176
3
customers” it serves.
10
  Additionally, pursuant to Sections 54.407 and 54.410 of the Rules, ETCs must 
obtain certification of every subscriber’s eligibility and certify their own compliance with the Rules.
11
4. Furthermore, Section 54.410(a) of the Rules requires ETCs to implement policies and 
procedures for ensuring that their subscribers are eligible to receive Lifeline service.
12
  Among other 
things, the Commission’s Rules define an eligible, or “qualifying low-income consumer,” as one who is 
not already receiving a Lifeline service and where no one else in the household is a Lifeline subscriber.
13
  
The Commission has made clear that “qualifying low-income consumers may receive no more than a 
single Lifeline benefit.”
14
  In February 2012, the FCC defined “duplicative support” as “when a Lifeline 
subscriber is receiving two or more Lifeline services concurrently or two or more subscribers in a 
household are receiving Lifeline services or Tribal Link Up support concurrently.”
15
  Therefore, ETCs 
generally must implement procedures designed to ensure that they are not seeking support from the 
Lifeline program for duplicate subscribers.
16
    
5. In 2011, USAC began conducting in-depth data validations (IDVs) to identify subscribers 
who were improperly receiving duplicative Lifeline support.
17
  If USAC determined that a subscriber was 
the recipient of multiple Lifeline benefits from that same ETC (e.g., intra-company duplicates), it notified 
the ETC of the instances of duplicate support, recouped duplicate payments, and directed the ETC to de-
enroll the intra-company duplicate subscribers.
18
 
6. i-wireless is a North Carolina limited liability company headquartered in Newport, 
Kentucky.  The Company is equally owned by two members, Genie Global, Inc. and The Kroger Co., 
which is a large grocery retail chain.
19
  At the time of the release of the i-wireless NAL, i-wireless was 
designated as an ETC in a number of states, including but not limited to, Illinois, Indiana, New York, 
10
 47 CFR § 54.407(a)–(b).
11
 See 47 CFR §§ 54.407(d), 54.410(b)–(c), 54.416.  To receive reimbursement, ETCs must file an FCC Form 497 
with USAC, on which they must certify compliance with the Rules. See Lifeline Reform Order, 27 FCC Rcd at 
6698, 6714, paras. 91, 125.
12
 47 CFR § 54.410(a).  See also Lifeline Reform Order, 27 FCC Rcd at 6879, Appendix A. 
13
 47 CFR §§ 54.400(a); 54.409(c).
14
 See Lifeline & Link Up Reform & Modernization, Report and Order, 26 FCC Rcd 9022, 9022–23, para. 2 (2011) 
(Lifeline Duplicates Order).  See also Lifeline & Link-Up, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking, 19 FCC Rcd 8302, 8306, para. 4 (2004); see also 47 CFR § 54.409(c) (qualifying Lifeline customers 
must not already be receiving a Lifeline service); 47 CFR § 54.401 (defining Lifeline); 47 CFR § 54.400(h) 
(defining “household” as “any individual or group of individuals who are living together at the same address as one 
economic unit”); Lifeline Reform Order, 27 FCC Rcd at 6760, para. 241 (noting that the costs of wireless handsets 
are not supported by Lifeline).
15
 See generally Lifeline Reform Order, 27 FCC Rcd 6656; 47 CFR § 54.400(g).  The Lifeline Reform Order also 
required ETCs, upon notification from USAC, to de-enroll subscribers who were found to have received duplicative 
support.  47 CFR § 54.405(e)(2).
16
 47 CFR § 54.410.
17
 See Lifeline Duplicates Order, 26 FCC Rcd at 9023, para. 2, nn.4–5; Letter from Sharon E. Gillett, Chief, 
Wireline Competition Bureau, FCC, to D. Scott Barash, Acting CEO, USAC, WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 03-109, CC 
Docket No. 96-45, 26 FCC Rcd 8588 (WCB 2011).
18
 Id.
19
 i-wireless, LLC, Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Order, 28 FCC Rcd 15381, 15383, para. 8 (2013) 
(i-wireless NAL or NAL).  See also State of North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Business 
Registration, http://www.sosnc.gov/Search/profcorp/8039285 (entity created Sept. 7, 2006) (last visited Oct. 18, 
2017).
Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-176
4
North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
20
  To receive reimbursement for 
Lifeline services provided, i-wireless was required to file claims regularly with USAC.
21 
 USAC 
conducted IDVs of the Lifeline support requested by i-wireless for its subscribers in the following eight 
states for the months specified:  Ohio (October 2012); North Carolina (November 2012); Illinois 
(November 2012, December 2012, and January 2013 through April 2013); Tennessee (December 2012); 
West Virginia (December 2012); New York (January 2013); Indiana (February 2013); and South Carolina 
(February 2013).
22
  Based on USAC’s analysis, i-wireless allegedly had 1,684 intra-company duplicate 
lines for which i-wireless sought Lifeline reimbursement support.
 23
  According to USAC, these requests 
allegedly resulted in $24,358 in overpayments to i-wireless over the months covered by the IDVs.
24
7. On December 11, 2013, the Commission issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for 
Forfeiture proposing a forfeiture penalty of $8,753,074 against i-wireless for alleged willful and repeated 
violations of Sections 54.407, 54.409, and 54.410 of the Rules
25
 by allegedly requesting and/or receiving 
Lifeline support for allegedly ineligible subscriber lines identified in the IDVs.
26
  The Company submitted 
a response to the i-wireless NAL on January 10, 2014, denying the allegations and seeking cancellation or 
reduction of the proposed forfeiture.
27
  The Parties negotiated the following terms and conditions of 
settlement and hereby enter in this Consent Decree as provided below.
III. TERMS OF AGREEMENT
8. Adopting Order.  The provisions of this Consent Decree shall be incorporated by the 
Commission in an Adopting Order.
9. Jurisdiction.  i-wireless agrees that the Commission has jurisdiction over it and the 
matters contained in this Consent Decree and has the authority to enter into and adopt this Consent 
Decree.
10. Effective Date.  The Parties agree that this Consent Decree shall become effective on the 
Effective Date as defined herein.  As of the Effective Date, the Parties agree that this Consent Decree 
shall have the same force and effect as any other order adopted by the Commission.  
11. Termination of Investigation.  In express reliance on the covenants and representations 
in this Consent Decree and to avoid further expenditure of public resources, the Commission agrees to 
terminate the Investigation.  In consideration for the termination of the Investigation, i-wireless agrees to 
the terms, conditions, and procedures contained herein.  i-wireless further agrees that it will not challenge, 
and the Commission agrees that it will not pursue an investigation or action related to, USAC’s 
determinations regarding i-wireless’s Lifeline reimbursement requests identified in Attachment 1 hereto, 
and i-wireless hereby withdraws all pending appeals of the same.  The Commission further agrees that, in 
the absence of new material evidence, it will not use the facts developed in the Investigation through the 
Effective Date, or the existence of this Consent Decree, to institute, on its own motion, any new 
20
 i-wireless NAL, 28 FCC Rcd at 15383, para. 8.  Other service areas served by i-wireless are not at issue in this 
enforcement action.
21
 i-wireless NAL, 28 FCC Rcd at 17118, para. 6.  See also 47 CFR § 54.407; Lifeline Reform Order, 27 FCC Rcd at 
6786–87, paras. 302–03.
22
 Id. at 15384, para. 9.
23
 Id.
24
 Id.  
25
 See generally i-wireless NAL.  See also 47 CFR §§ 54.407, 54.409, 54.410.
26
 See generally i-wireless NAL.  
27
 Letter from John J. Heitmann, Counsel to i-wireless, LLC, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC (Jan. 10, 2014) 
(on file in EB-IHD-13-00010656) (NAL Response).
Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-176
5
proceeding, formal or informal, or take any action on its own motion against i-wireless concerning the 
matters that were the subject of the Investigation.  The Commission also agrees that, in the absence of 
new material evidence, it will not use the facts developed in the Investigation through the Effective Date, 
or the existence of this Consent Decree, to institute, on its own motion, any proceeding, formal or 
informal, or to set for hearing the question of i-wireless’s basic qualifications to be a Commission 
licensee or hold Commission licenses or authorizations.
28 
12. Stipulation.  i-wireless stipulates for the purpose of this Consent Decree and for 
Commission civil enforcement purposes, and in express reliance on the provisions in paragraph 11 herein, 
that it sought reimbursement for certain subscribers who had improperly certified eligibility in violation 
of the Commission’s rules prohibiting duplicative support.  This Consent Decree shall not be used as 
evidence or precedent in any action or proceeding, except an action to enforce this Consent Decree, and 
does not constitute a finding of law or fact.  The Parties agree this Consent Decree is for settlement 
purposes only and does not constitute an adjudication on the merits or a factual or legal determination 
regarding compliance or non-compliance.
13. Compliance Officer.  Within thirty (30) calendar days after the Effective Date, i-wireless 
shall designate a senior corporate manager with the requisite corporate and organizational authority to 
serve as a Compliance Officer and to discharge the duties set forth below.  The person designated as the 
Compliance Officer shall be responsible for developing, implementing, and administering the Compliance 
Plan, including the Compliance Training Program, and ensuring that i-wireless complies with the terms 
and conditions of the Compliance Plan and this Consent Decree.  The Compliance Officer shall regularly 
assess the compliance efforts and performance of i-wireless and any Covered Third Party.  In addition to 
the general knowledge of the Communications Laws necessary to discharge his or her duties under this 
Consent Decree, the Compliance Officer shall have specific knowledge of the Lifeline Rules prior to 
assuming his/her duties.  The Compliance Officer’s salary or bonus shall not be related in any manner to 
sales.  Any vendor that i-wireless uses to perform tasks associated with compliance with the Lifeline 
Rules will be subject to the Compliance Officer’s oversight.
14. Compliance Plan.  For purposes of settling the matters set forth herein, i-wireless agrees 
that it shall, within sixty (60) calendar days after the Effective Date, develop and implement a 
Compliance Plan designed to ensure future compliance with the Lifeline Rules and with the terms and 
conditions of this Consent Decree.  With respect to the Lifeline Rules, i-wireless will implement, at a 
minimum, the following procedures:
(a) Operating Procedures.  Within sixty (60) calendar days after the Effective Date, 
i-wireless shall establish Operating Procedures that all Covered Employees and 
Covered Third Parties must follow to help ensure i-wireless’s compliance with the 
Lifeline Rules.  i-wireless’s Operating Procedures shall include internal procedures 
and policies specifically designed to ensure that applicants for Lifeline service and 
Covered Employees and Covered Third Parties have not violated the Commission’s 
Rules prohibiting duplicate support.  i-wireless shall also develop a Compliance 
Checklist that describes the steps a Covered Employee and Covered Third Party must 
follow to ensure compliance with the Lifeline Rules, including those prohibiting 
duplicate support.  i-wireless’s Operating Procedures also shall include the following: 
i. Agent Identifiers:  All Covered Employees and Covered Third Parties 
involved with sales, marketing, and/or enrollment of new Lifeline 
customers shall be required to have individual numerical codes or 
other identifiers, which must be recorded when a Covered Employee 
28
 See 47 CFR § 1.93(b). 
Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-176
6
or Covered Third Party processes an i-wireless Lifeline customer 
enrollment form.
29
 
ii. Responsibility for Agents:  i-wireless will accept legal responsibility 
with respect to compliance with the Lifeline Rules for the sales, 
marketing, and/or enrollment activities of all i-wireless Lifeline 
personnel and its Agents.  
iii. Agent Phishing:  All Covered Employees and Covered Third Parties 
shall be expressly prohibited from signing themselves up for Lifeline, 
or entering their own information into NLAD.  
iv. Whistleblowers:  i-wireless will create procedures for Covered 
Employees and Covered Third Parties to anonymously report 
wrongdoing by the company by providing the Commission 
Whistleblower Hotline’s phone number to all employees. 
(b) Compliance Manual.  Within sixty (60) calendar days after the Effective Date, the 
Compliance Officer shall develop and distribute a Compliance Manual to all Covered 
Employees and Covered Third Parties.  The Compliance Manual shall explain the 
Lifeline Rules and set forth the Operating Procedures that Covered Employees and 
Covered Third Parties shall follow to help ensure i-wireless’s compliance with the 
Lifeline Rules.  i-wireless shall periodically review and revise the Compliance 
Manual as necessary to ensure that the information set forth therein remains current 
and accurate.  i-wireless shall distribute any revisions to the Compliance Manual 
promptly to all Covered Employees and Covered Third Parties. 
(c) Compliance Training Program.  i-wireless shall establish and implement a 
Compliance Training Program on compliance with the Lifeline Rules, including 
eligibility and self-certification requirements for Lifeline consumers, and the 
Operating Procedures.  As part of the Compliance Training Program, Covered 
Employees shall be advised of i-wireless’s obligation to report any noncompliance 
with the Lifeline Rules under paragraph 15 of this Consent Decree and shall be 
instructed on how to disclose noncompliance to the Compliance Officer.  All Covered 
Employees and Covered Third Parties shall be trained pursuant to the Compliance 
Training Program within ninety (90) calendar days after the Effective Date, except 
that any person who becomes a Covered Employee or Covered Third Party at any 
time after the initial Compliance Training Program shall be trained within thirty (30) 
calendar days after the date such person becomes a Covered Employee or Covered 
Third Party and, in any event, before such person is permitted to engage in sales 
transactions.  i-wireless shall repeat compliance training on an annual basis, and shall 
periodically review and revise the Compliance Training Program as necessary to 
ensure that it remains current and complete and to enhance its effectiveness.
15. Reporting Noncompliance.  i-wireless shall report any noncompliance with the Lifeline 
Rules and with the terms and conditions of this Consent Decree within fifteen (15) calendar days after 
discovery of such noncompliance.  Such reports shall include a detailed explanation of: (i) each instance 
of noncompliance; (ii) the steps that i-wireless has taken or will take to remedy such noncompliance; (iii) 
the schedule on which such remedial actions will be taken; and (iv) the steps that i-wireless has taken or 
will take to prevent the recurrence of any such noncompliance.  All reports of noncompliance shall be 
submitted to the Chief, Investigations and Hearings Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal 
29
 When i-wireless begins to use the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier in a geographic area in which it provides 
Lifeline service, this obligation will be superseded. 
Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-176
7
Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Room 4-C224, Washington, DC 20554, with a copy 
submitted electronically to Jeffrey.Gee@fcc.gov, Kalun.Lee@fcc.gov and to Celia.Lewis@fcc.gov. 
16. Compliance Reports.  i-wireless shall file compliance reports with the Commission one-
hundred and twenty (120) calendar days after the Effective Date, twelve (12) months after the Effective 
Date, twenty-four (24) months after the Effective Date, and thirty-six (36) months after the Effective 
Date.
(a) Each Compliance Report shall include a detailed description of i-wireless’s efforts 
during the relevant period to comply with the terms and conditions of this Consent 
Decree and the Lifeline Rules.  In addition, each Compliance Report shall include a 
certification by the Compliance Officer, as a representative of and on behalf of 
i-wireless, stating that the Compliance Officer has personal knowledge that 
i-wireless:  (1) has established and implemented the Compliance Plan; (2) has 
utilized the Operating Procedures since the implementation of the Compliance Plan; 
and (3) is not aware of any instances of noncompliance with the terms and conditions 
of this Consent Decree, including the reporting obligations set forth in paragraph 15 
of this Consent Decree.
(b) The Compliance Officer’s certification shall be accompanied by a statement 
explaining the basis for such certification and shall comply with Section 1.16 of the 
Rules and be subscribed to as true under penalty of perjury in substantially the form 
set forth therein.
30
(c) If the Compliance Officer cannot provide the requisite certification, the Compliance 
Officer, as a representative of and on behalf of i-wireless, shall provide the 
Commission with a detailed explanation of the reason(s) why and describe fully:  (1) 
each instance of noncompliance; (2) the steps that i-wireless has taken or will take to 
remedy such noncompliance, including the schedule on which proposed remedial 
actions will be taken; and (3) the steps that i-wireless has taken or will take to prevent 
the recurrence of any such noncompliance, including the schedule on which such 
preventive action will be taken.
(d) All Compliance Reports shall be submitted to the Chief, Investigations and Hearings 
Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th 
Street, SW, Room 4-C224, Washington, DC 20554, with a copy submitted 
electronically to Jeffrey.Gee@fcc.gov, Kalun.Lee@fcc.gov, and 
Celia.Lewis@fcc.gov.
17. Termination Date.  The requirements set forth in paragraphs 13 through 16 of this 
Consent Decree shall expire thirty-six (36) months after the Effective Date.  
18. Section 208 Complaints; Subsequent Investigations.  Nothing in this Consent Decree 
shall prevent the Commission or its delegated authority from adjudicating complaints filed pursuant to 
Section 208 of the Act
31
 against i-wireless or its affiliates for alleged violations of the Act, or for any 
other type of alleged misconduct, regardless of when such misconduct took place.  The Commission’s 
adjudication of any such complaint will be based solely on the record developed in that proceeding.  
Except as expressly provided in this Consent Decree, this Consent Decree shall not prevent the 
Commission from investigating new evidence of noncompliance by i-wireless with the Communications 
Laws.
19. Settlement Amount.   i-wireless agrees to pay a settlement amount to the United States 
Treasury in the amount of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000).  Such payment shall be made 
in 36 installments (each an Installment Payment).  The first Installment Payment in the amount of twenty 
30
 47 CFR § 1.16.
31
 47 U.S.C. § 208.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-176
8
thousand eight hundred forty-five dollars ($20,845) payable to the United States Treasury is due within 
thirty (30) calendar days of the Effective Date.  Thereafter, subsequent Installment Payments of twenty 
thousand eight hundred thirty-three dollars ($20,833) will be due on the first calendar day of each 
subsequent month.  i-wireless acknowledges and agrees that upon execution of this Consent Decree, the 
settlement and each Installment Payment shall become a “Claim” or “Debt” as defined in 31 U.S.C. 
§ 3701(b)(1).
32
  Upon an Event of Default (as defined below), all procedures for collection as permitted 
by law may, at the Commission’s discretion, be initiated.  
i-wireless shall send electronic notification of the payment to the Chief, Investigations and Hearings 
Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Room 4-
C224, Washington, DC 20554, with a copy submitted electronically to Jeffrey.Gee@fcc.gov, 
Kalun.Lee@fcc.gov, and Celia.Lewis@fcc.gov on the date said payment is made.  The payment must be 
made by check or similar instrument, wire transfer, or credit card, and must include the respective 
Account Number and FRN referenced above.  Regardless of the form of payment, a completed FCC Form 
159 (Remittance Advice) must be submitted.
33
  When completing the FCC Form 159, enter the Account 
Number in block number 23A (call sign/other ID) and enter the letters “FORF” in block number 24A 
(payment type code).  Below are additional instructions that should be followed based on the form of 
payment selected:
? Payment by check or money order must be made payable to the order of the Federal 
Communications Commission.  Such payments (along with the completed Form 159) must be 
mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000, or sent via overnight mail to U.S. Bank – Government Lockbox #979088, 
SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101.
? Payment by wire transfer must be made to ABA Number 021030004, receiving bank 
TREAS/NYC, and Account Number 27000001.  To complete the wire transfer and ensure 
appropriate crediting of the wired funds, a completed Form 159 must be faxed to U.S. Bank 
at (314) 418-4232 on the same business day the wire transfer is initiated.
? Payment by credit card must be made by providing the required credit card information on 
FCC Form 159 and signing and dating the Form 159 to authorize the credit card payment.  
The completed Form 159 must then be mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. 
Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000, or sent via overnight mail to U.S. Bank – 
Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 
63101.
Questions regarding payment procedures should be addressed to the Financial Operations Group Help 
Desk by phone, 1-877-480-3201, or by e-mail, ARINQUIRIES@fcc.gov.
20. Event of Default.  i-wireless agrees that an Event of Default shall occur upon the failure 
by i-wireless to pay the full amount of any Installment Payment on or before the due date specified in this 
Consent Decree.
21. Interest, Charges for Collection, and Acceleration of Maturity Date.  After an Event 
of Default has occurred under this Consent Decree, the then unpaid amount of the settlement amount shall 
accrue interest, computed using the U.S. Prime Rate in effect on the date of the Event of Default plus 4.75 
percent, from the date of the Event of Default until payment in full.  Upon an Event of Default, the then 
unpaid amount of the settlement amount, together with interest, any penalties permitted and/or required 
by the law, including but not limited to 31 U.S.C. § 3717 and administrative charges, plus the costs of 
32
 Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, 1358 (Apr. 26, 1996).
33
 An FCC Form 159 and detailed instructions for completing the form may be obtained at 
http://www.fcc.gov/Forms/Form159/159.pdf.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-176
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collection, litigation, and attorneys’ fees, shall become immediately due and payable, without notice, 
presentment, demand, protest, or notice of protest of any kind, all of which are waived by i-wireless.
22. Waivers.  As of the Effective Date, i-wireless waives any and all rights it may have to 
seek administrative or judicial reconsideration, review, appeal or stay, or to otherwise challenge or contest 
the validity of this Consent Decree and the Adopting Order.  i-wireless shall retain the right to challenge 
Commission interpretation of the Consent Decree or any terms contained herein.  If either Party (or the 
United States on behalf of the Commission) brings a judicial action to enforce the terms of the Consent 
Decree or the Adopting Order, neither i-wireless nor the Commission shall contest the validity of the 
Consent Decree or the Adopting Order, and i-wireless shall waive any statutory right to a trial de novo.  
i-wireless hereby agrees to waive any claims it may otherwise have under the Equal Access to Justice 
Act
34
 relating to the matters addressed in this Consent Decree.
23. Severability.  The Parties agree that if any of the provisions of the Consent Decree shall 
be held unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such unenforceability shall not render 
unenforceable the entire Consent Decree, but rather the entire Consent Decree shall be construed as if not 
containing the particular unenforceable provision or provisions, and the rights and obligations of the 
Parties shall be construed and enforced accordingly.
24. Invalidity.  In the event that this Consent Decree in its entirety is rendered invalid by any 
court of competent jurisdiction, it shall become null and void and may not be used in any manner in any 
legal proceeding.
25. Subsequent Rule or Order.  The Parties agree that if any provision of the Consent 
Decree conflicts with any subsequent Rule or Order adopted by the Commission (except an Order 
specifically intended to revise the terms of this Consent Decree to which i-wireless does not expressly 
consent) that provision will be superseded by such Rule or Order. 
26. Successors and Assigns.  i-wireless agrees that the provisions of this Consent Decree 
shall be binding on its successors, assigns, and transferees.
27. Final Settlement.  The Parties agree and acknowledge that this Consent Decree shall 
constitute a final settlement between the Parties with respect to the Investigation.  The Parties further 
agree that this Consent Decree does not constitute either an adjudication on the merits or a factual or legal 
finding regarding any compliance or noncompliance with the requirements of the Communications Laws.
28. Modifications.  This Consent Decree cannot be modified without the advance written 
consent of both Parties.
29. Paragraph Headings.  The headings of the paragraphs in this Consent Decree are 
inserted for convenience only and are not intended to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Consent 
Decree.
30. Authorized Representative.  Each Party represents and warrants to the other that it has 
full power and authority to enter into this Consent Decree.  Each person signing this Consent Decree on 
behalf of a Party hereby represents that he or she is fully authorized by the Party to execute this Consent 
Decree and to bind the Party to its terms and conditions.
34
 See 5 U.S.C. § 504; 47 CFR §§ 1.1501–1.1530.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-176
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31. Counterparts.  This Consent Decree may be signed in counterpart (including 
electronically or by facsimile).  Each counterpart, when executed and delivered, shall be an original, and 
all of the counterparts together shall constitute one and the same fully executed instrument.
________________________________
Rosemary C. Harold, Chief
Enforcement Bureau
________________________________
Date
________________________________
John Willis
Chief Operating Officer
i-wireless, LLC
________________________________
Date
Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-176
11
ATTACHMENT 1
 
i-wireless
IDV Phase(s) Data Month and State Date Appeal was Filed
Phase 16 Feb. 2013 (NV)
Phase 17 Mar. 2013 (GA)
Dec. 30, 2013
Phase 18 Mar. 2013 (NC, KY, and OH)
Phase 19 Apr. 2013 (AL and KS)
Phase 20 Apr. 2013 (MI and NY)
Feb. 27, 2014
Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-176
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STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN
APPROVING IN PART AND DISSENTING IN PART
Re: i-wireless, LLC, Order, EB-IHD-13-00010656
Waste, fraud, and abuse must not be tolerated in any of our Universal Service programs, which is 
why I will vote to approve these consent decrees. This company has repaid what it wrongfully claimed 
from USF and voluntarily agreed to remit to the Treasury several multiples of the harm done to the Fund. 
This investigation and its overall finding represent an efficient use of the Commission’s resources, and we 
eliminate uncertainty for these companies while strongly reinforcing our expectations of Lifeline 
providers. 
However, I am forced to also register a dissent in this case, because while I believe the 
Commission should have taken strong and decisive action, the Enforcement Bureau under this Chairman 
continues to show bias. It essentially gives hall passes to large, well-known corporations when 
wrongdoing is found, while it fines little-known small businesses and individuals substantial sums of 
money for harms which are often substantially narrower. When a company or an individual violates our 
rules, they should be punished, but that punishment should fit the offense. Any wrongdoing committed by 
a provider that has accepted an obligation to serve the public, should be fairly and consistently met with 
forfeitures and negotiated settlements that are more than a mere slap on the wrist. Large corporations 
simply view relatively meager fines as a mere nuisance expense.  My wish for the season? That we stop 
this seemingly preferential trend that consistently benefits one class of provider, and that the 
Commission’s rules are vigorously and fairly enforced for all.