20210402Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM

TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL

FROM: JOHN R. HAMMOND JR.
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL

DATE: APRIL 2, 2021

SUBJECT: APPLICATION OF COMMNET WIRELESS, LLC FOR DESIGNATION
AS AN ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER IN THE STATE
OF IDAHO FOR PURPOSES OF RECEIVING RURAL DIGITAL
OPPORTUNITY FUND SUPPORT; CASE NO. CWL-T-21-01.

On March 9, 2021, Commnet Wireless, LLC (“Company”) applied for designation as
an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (“ETC”) in Idaho.
THE APPLICATION
The Company states that it is a wholly owned subsidiary of ATN International, Inc., a
publicly traded corporation. Application at 2. The Company represents it provides voice and
broadband service in rural areas, principally in areas with less than 2,500 people. Id.
The Company states that as a winning bidder in the FCC’s RDOF auction (Auction
904), its receipt of RDOF funding is conditioned upon it obtaining designation as an ETC and
submitting evidence of such designation to the FCC no later than June 7, 2021. The Company
asserts that it meets all the statutory and regulatory requirements to be an ETC in Idaho and argues
that designating the Company as an ETC is in the public interest. Id. at 2-9. The Company asks
that the Commission grant it ETC status prior to June 7, 2021. Id. at 1.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission issue a Notice of Application and Notice of
Modified Procedure, setting a 21-day comment deadline for interested persons and parties and 7-
day reply comment deadline for the Company.

DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue a Notice of Application and Notice of Modified
Procedure, setting a 21-day comment deadline for interested persons and parties and 7-day reply
comment deadline for the Company?

________________________________
John R. Hammond Jr.
Deputy Attorney General

I:\Legal\TELEPHONE\CWL-T-21-01\CWLT2101_dec memo_jh.docx