Sec. 54.411  Link Up program defined.

    (a) For purposes of this subpart, the term ``Link Up'' shall 
describe the following assistance program for qualifying low-income 
consumers, which an eligible telecommunications carrier shall offer as 
part of its obligation set forth in Secs. 54.101(a)(9) and 54.101(b):
    (1) A reduction in the carrier's customary charge for commencing 
telecommunications service for a single telecommunications connection at 
a consumer's principal place of residence. The reduction shall be half 
of the customary charge or $30.00, whichever is less; and
    (2) A deferred schedule for payment of the charges assessed for 
commencing service, for which the consumer does not pay interest. The 
interest charges not assessed to the consumer shall be for connection 
charges of up to $200.00 that are deferred for a period not to exceed 
one year. Charges assessed for commencing service include any charges 
that the carrier customarily assesses to connect subscribers to the 
network. These charges do not include any permissible security deposit 
requirements.
    (b) A qualifying low-income consumer may choose one or both of the 
programs set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c) A carrier's Link Up program shall allow a consumer to receive 
the benefit of the Link Up program for a second or subsequent time only 
for a principal place of residence with an address different from the 
residence address at which the Link Up assistance was provided 
previously.