20170428Decision Memo.pdf

RE:
DECISION MEMORANDTJM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM: GRACE SEAMATI
DATE: APRIL 20,2417
BUDGET PREPAY,INC. DBA BUDGET MOBILE'S APPLICATION TO
RETINQUISH ITS ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATION CARRIER
DESIGNATIONi CASE NO. BPP-T-12-01.
On April 18,2017, Budget PrePay, Inc. dba Budget Mobile ("Budget" orthe
"Company") filed aNotice of Relinquishment of its eligible telecommunications canier f'ETC')
designation in Idaho pursuant to 47 U.S.C $ 2la(eXa),47 C.F.R. $ 54.204 and ldatrq Code
$ 62-610D(4). The Commission granted a limited federal Lifeline-only ETC status to Budget on
January 23,2013. ,See OrderNo. 32723. The Company now seeks to "relinquish its Lifeline-
only ETC designation and to discontinue service in ldaho, because of changes in the wireless
industry and proposed modifrcations to the [federal] Lifeline program." Application at l.
Budget asserts that the withdrawal of is ETC designation will not affect Lifeline Customers as
they can be served by other ETCs in the designated service area. Id. at3. Budget requests an
effective date of June 5,2017. Id.
Budget states that it has fewer than 250 Lifeline cuslomers within its ETC designated
area in ldaho. These customers will receive text message notifications by April 19,2017 of
Budget's plan to cease service and withdraw from the federal Lifeline program effective
June 5, 2017. ld. at4. The notice will also provide information regarding other Lifeline
providers as well as customer service information. Id. at 5. No early termination fees will be
imposed. Id. at4.
DECISION MEMORANDUM APRIL 2O,2OI?
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staffhas reviewed the Application and believes the Company meets the statutory
requirements for relinquishment of the ETC designation. ,See 47 C.F.R. $ 54.205(a). Staffalso
believes that Budget's Lifeline subscribers have competitively-priced altematives with other
ETC providers in ldaho. Thus, Staffrecommends Commission approval.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission approve Budget's Application to relinquish its limited ETC
designation in Idaho?
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Grace Seaman
Udmcmos/bpp*-12-01 ctc rvi$drorryol dcc memo
?APRIL 2O,2OI7
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DECISION MEMORANDUM