20140304notice_of_application_order_no_32989.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
March 4,2014
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )
OF CUSTER TELEPHONE BROADBAND )CASE NO.CTB-T-14-O1
SERVICES LLC FOR DESIGNATION AS AN )
ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
CARRIER FOR LOW-INCOME SUPPORT )
)NOTICE OF
)MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)
_______________________________
)ORDER NO.32989
On January 6,2014,Custer Telephone Broadband Services LLC (the “Company”)
applied to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (the “Commission”)for an Order designating it
as an eligible telecommunications carrier (“ETC”)that can participate in Lifeline and receive
universal service fund,low-income support in the Salmon,Idaho exchange area (the “Designated
Service Area”).Application at 1.With this Order,the Commission provides notice of the
Application,solicits public input on the Application,and orders that the case be processed under
the Commission’s Rules of Modified Procedure.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that in its Application,the Company says it is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Custer Telephone Cooperative,Inc.with its principal place of
business in Challis,Idaho.The Company’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
authorizes it to provide local exchange and interexchange services in Idaho.The Company is a
full-service wireline carrier that provides facilities-based,local exchange services in the
Designated Service Area.The Company says the Designated Service Area does not include
areas served by rural telephone companies,and is part of the service area of CenturyTel of Idaho,
Inc.dba CenturyLink.Id at 1-2,4,and 7.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company says it meets the requirements
to be an ETC under Section 214(e)of the federal Telecommunications Act (47 U.S.C.§214(e)),
the Federal Communications Commission’s eligibility rules and orders (47 C.F.R.§54.201,
54.202,and 54.405;and the Lifeline Reform Order,FCC-12-1 1),and the Commission’s
eligibility requirements as specified in Commission Order No.29841.Id.at 1,3-4.Specifically,
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32989 1
the Company says it (1)is a common carrier;(2)offers services that are supported by federal
universal support mechanisms;(3)will use its own facilities,in whole or in part,to provide the
supported services;(4)will provide the supported services throughout its Designated Service
Area,including access to the public switched telephone network,local calling service,access to
emergency services,as well as access to operator services and directory assistance;(5)will
advertise the availability of such services using media of general distribution;(6)will make
Lifeline service available to qualifying low-income consumers;(7)will certify that it will
comply with the service requirements applicable to support that it receives;(8)will remain
functional in emergency situations;(9)will satisfy consumer protection and service quality
standards;(10)will provide local usage plans comparable to the incumbent local exchange
carriers (“ILECs”)already operating in the proposed Designated Service Area;(11)will notify
any affected tribal governments or tribal regulatory authorities;(12)will comply with all
applicable reporting requirements;and (13)will take steps to limit fraud,waste and abuse of the
federal USF.Id.at 3-7.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company says that granting its
Application will serve the public interest and the market by promoting additional service
offerings in the Designated Service Area and enabling the Company to offer Lifeline to
qualifying consumers.This will lower costs,increase quality and customer choice,and incent
other carriers to improve their networks and service offerings.Id.at 8.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and supporting workpapers
have been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular
business hours at the Commission offices.The Application is also available on the
Commission’s web site at www.puc.idaho.gov.Click on the “File Room”tab at the top of the
page,scroll down to “Open Telecom Cases,”and then click on the case number as shown on the
front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commissions jurisdiction under Title 62 of the Idaho Code.The Commission
may enter any final order consistent with its authority under Title 62.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure,IDAPA 3 1.01.01.000 etseq.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32989 2
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the
public interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter and will proceed under Modified
Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Idaho Public Utilities Commissions Rules
of Procedure,IDAPA 31.01.01.201 through .204.The Commission notes that Modified
Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input
and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this
Application must file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission within 21
days of the service date of this Order.The comment must contain a statement of reasons
supporting the comment.Further,persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing
in their written comments.Written comments concerning this Application shall be mailed to the
Commission and the Applicant at the addresses reflected below:
Commission Secretary Cynthia A.Melillo
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Cynthia A.Melillo PLLC
P0 Box 83720 8385 W.Emerald Street
Boise,ID 83720-0074 Boise,Idaho 83704
E-mail:cainicarnlawidaho.com
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W.Washington Street
Boise,ID 83702-59 18
These comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document.Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission’s home page located at www.puc.idaho.gov.Click the “Case Comment Form”
under the ‘Consumers”tab,and complete the comment form using the case number as it appears
on the front of this document.These comments must also be sent to the Company at the e-mail
address listed above.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are
received within the time limit set,the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and
enter its Order without a formal hearing.If written comments are received within the time limit
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32989 3
set,the Commission will consider them and,in its discretion,may set the same for formal
hearing.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this matter be processed by Modified Procedure,
IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204.Persons who wish to comment on the Application must file their
written comments within 21 days of the service date of this Order.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of March 2014.
PAffL KJELLANdER,PRESIDENT
—
MACK A.REDFORD,cOMIIISSIONER
LL LL
MARSHA H.SMITH,COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
/
Lj /
Jean D JeweI4
Commission secretary
O:CTB-T-1 4-Olkk
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32989 4