Boeing to temporarily suspend Philadelphia area operations amid coronavirus outbreak

(Reuters) - Boeing Co said on Thursday it will temporarily suspend production at facilities in Ridley Township, Pennsylvania, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, adding that the suspension will last two weeks, with work to resume on April 20. “The site includes manufacturing and production facilities for military rotorcraft, including the H-47 Chinook, V-22 Osprey and MH-139A Grey Wolf. Defense and commercial services work and engineering design activities are also performed at the site”, Boeing said. Operations will be suspended at the end of day on Friday, according to the company.

Separately, Boeing Chief Executive Officer Dave Calhoun said the virus outbreak was going to have a lasting impact on the global aerospace industry, as he outlined steps for a voluntary layoff plan for employees. The Chicago-based planemaker said that those Philadelphia area employees who can work from home will continue doing so, while those who cannot work remotely will receive paid leave for the ten working days.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-boeing-pennsylvani/boeing-to-temporarily-suspend-philadelphia-area-operations-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-idUSKBN21L07W?il=0

FCC proposes to fine TracFone Wireless $6 million for subsidy violations

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday proposed to fine TracFone Wireless $6 million for allegedly violating its rules governing the subsidy program for telecommunications services for low income users. The FCC said TracFone apparently claimed federal funding for customers “who were not actually determined to be eligible for the program.” The Lifeline program provides a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on broadband and phone service for qualifying low-income consumers.

TracFone, a unit of America Movil, said it would respond “at the appropriate time. As the leading provider of Lifeline services, we take seriously our stewardship of public dollars and will continue to focus on connecting millions of low-income customers to school, jobs, healthcare, and essential social services.” The FCC investigation found that in 2018, TracFone apparently obtained federal support for hundreds of ineligible subscribers in Florida, including using “different addresses using the same name, all seven of whom had birth dates in July 1978 and shared the same last four Social Security Number digits.” FCC chairman Ajit Pai said “we will not sit idly by and let Lifeline carriers fabricate enrollment data to generate more sales.” Lifeline is funded using Universal Service Fund money that comes from fees assessed on phone bills. Spending for the Lifeline program has fallen dramatically in recent years. It handed out $981 million in subsidies in 2019 down from $1.3 billion in 2017.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-wireless-tracfone/fcc-proposes-to-fine-tracfone-wireless-6-million-for-subsidy-violations-idUSKBN21K3CJ?il=0