20120827Silver Star Telephone Company ETC.pdf

SI LVERXSTAR
COMMUNICATIONS
August 22, 2012
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Commission Secretary
472 W. Washington
P0 Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Dear Ms. Jewell:
As required by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) (47
commissions must certify with the Universal Service Administrative C
FCC stating "that all federal high-cost support provided to eligible tek
(ETC5) will be used only for the provision, maintenance and upgrading
for which the support is intended."
In response to the Commission's Order No. 29841, the study area know
Telephone Company - Idaho (Silver Star), which includes Silver Star Telephone
- Idaho and Columbine Telephone Company, submits the attached information
operations, including a copy of the previously filed Section § 54.313 report as
FCC.
If you have any questions regarding this matter or if you need additional information,
contact me at [phone].
Thank you,
= 0
Chad Turner
Vice President of Finance
State of Wyoming) CERTIFICATION BY ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
) ss CARRIER OF COMPLIANCE WITH SERVICE QUALITY AND
County of Lincoln) CUSTOMER PROTECTION, ABILITY TO REMAIN
FUNCTIONAL IN EMERGENCIES, AND USE OF FEDERAL
HIGH-COST SUPPORT.
AFFIDAVIT OF BUSINESS OR CORPORATE OFFICER
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission Order No. 29841 requires that Eligible Telecommunications Carriers
certify that it is compliant with applicable service quality standards and consumer protection rules; and ETCs
must demonstrate the ability to remain functional in emergencies. In addition, the Commission must file an
annual certification with the USAC and the FCC that all federal high-cost support provided to ETCs within the
State of Idaho will be used only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which
the support is intended. Accordingly, the undersigned states and verifies under oath the following:
1.I am an officer of Silver Star Telephone Company, an eligible telecommunications carrier for receiving
federal universal service support under section 214(e) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 in the state
of Idaho.
2.I am familiar with the Company's day-to-day operations in the state of Idaho and with the State's service
quality standards and consumer protection rules as set forth in Commission Order No. 29841.
3.Silver Star Telephone Company is complying with applicable service quality standards and consumer
protection rules of the Federal Communications Commission and the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.
4.I certify to the Commission that the Company is able to remain functional in emergencies as set forth in
Commission Order No. 29841 and in 47 C.F.R. § 54.201(a)(2).
5.I also certify that all federal universal service support funds received by Silver Star Telephone Company
during the current calendar year will be used in a manner consistent with section 254(e); that is, for the
provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended. The
company will continue to comply for the period of January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012, to be
eligible for federal universal service fund support.
6.This verification and affidavit is provided to be the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to enable the IPUC
to certify to the FCC that federal universal service support received by the eligible carriers in the state will
be used in a manner consistent with Section 254(e) of the Telecommunications Act.
OJ 7.AAA
Chad Turner
Vice President of Finance
August 22, 2012
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this "day of August 2012.
Notary Public for residing at
My Commission expires /T- "3
CWTYCF Uvr?STATE
MY COMMtSSTON EXn
Section 10: Two-Year Network Improvement Plan and Progress Report
The annual report must include a progress report on the carrier's two-year service quality
improvement plan, including maps detailing its progress toward meeting the plan targets, an
explanation of how much universal service support was received and how it was used to
improve signal quality, coverage, or capacity, and an explanation regarding any network
improvement targets that have not been fulfilled. This information shall be submitted at the wire
center level. The annual report must also include an updated two-year network improvement
plan indicating plans for future investment.
Silver Star submits this section under sealed envelope with title "Contains Confidential
Information" as prescribed in IDAPA 31.01.01 Rule 67.
SILVER)SYAR
COMMUNICATIONS
June 29, 2012
Ms. Marlene H. Dortcb
Office of the Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
12's Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
Ms. Karen Majcher
Vice President, High Cost and Low Income Division
Universal Service Administrative Company
2000 L Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20036
Re: WC Docket No. 10-90, Annual §54.313 Report of High-Cost Recipient
Dear Mss. Dortch and Majcher:
Enclosed please find the annual Certification of Support and Annual Report of Silver Star Telephone
Company, Inc., Study Area Code 472295, pursuant to 47 C.F.R. §54.313.
Please direct any questions regarding this filing to me at:
Phone: [phone]
Email [e-mail]
Respectfully Submitted,
Michelle Motzkus
Legal & Regulatory Administrator
Enclosure
CC. Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 W Washington
P0 Box 83720
Boise, 1D 83720-0074
P0 8ox 228
Flom. WV 83120
307.883.2411 Phone
307.883.2575 Fax

677.883.2411 lollFree

www.sliverster.com Web
2012 ETC Certification of Support and
Annual Report
Report to Satisfy Requirements of FCC 11-161 and 47 CPF.R §54.313
Name of ETC Applicant: Silver Star Telephone Company, Inc.
Study Area Code: 472295
Date of Filing: June 28, 2012
State: Idaho
Person to contact for questions:
Name: Michelle Motzkus
Telephone Number: 307-883-€690
E-mail address: [e-mail]
State Filing Details:
The data contained in this filing compiles with the requirements set forth in FCC 11-161 and §54.313 as
amended. To the extent that Idaho Public Utilities Commission requires additional information as part of
its normal ETC recertification process; that data will be provided to Idaho Public Utilities Commission in
compliance with the scheduled Annual Reporting for previously designated ETCs.
1
Table of Contents
Report 1: §54.313 (a) (1) - Five-Year Service Quality Improvement Plan ....................................................3
Report 2: §54.313 (a) (2)- Outage Report ....................................................................................................4
Report 3: §54.313 (a) (3)- Requests for Service ...........................................................................................5
Report 4: §54.313 (a) (4)- Complaints per 1,000 Connections.....................................................................6
Report 5: §54.313 (a) (5)-(6)- Certifications.................................................................................................7
Report 6: §54.313 (a) (7)- Current Price Offerings.......................................................................................8
Report 7: §54.313 (a) (8)- Company Identification ......................................................................................9
Report 8: §54.313 (a) (9)- Tribal Outreach................................................................................................. 10
Report 9: §54.313 (f) (2)- Annual Financial Report .................................................................................... 11
Report 10: §54,313 (g)- Areas with No Terrestrial Backhaul...................................................................... 12
Report 11: §54.313 (h)- Additional Voice Rate Data.................................................................................. 13
AttachmentI..............................................................................................................................................14
Report 1: §54313 (a) (1) - Five-Year Service Quality Improvement Plan
1. A progress report on Its five-year service quality improvement plan pursuant to § 54.202(a),
including maps detailing Its progress towards meeting its plan targets, an explanation of how
much universal service support was received and how it was used to improve service quality,
coverage, or capacity, and an explanation regarding any network improvement targets that have
not been fulfilled in the prior calendar year. The information shall be submitted at the wire
center level or census block as appropriate.
1.1 Progress Report
1.2 Universal Service Support Received and How It Was Used
* ** ** * *** *
Response to 1.1:
Silver Star Telephone Company, Inc. (which includes also Columbine Telephone Company in the above-
referenced SAC, "Silver Star") has been designated an ETC by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, and
that Commission has heretofore required ETCs to file a two year service quality improvement plan and
annual updates. In accordance with the Wireline Competition Bureau's Clarification Order in DA 12-147,
Issued on February 3rd, 2012, paragraph 7, Silver Star continues to comply with the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission's requirements, but Is not required to submit this progress report to the FCC for this filing
period.
Response to 1.2:
Silver Star received a total of $5,991,672 in federal high cost support during 2011. Over that same time
period, the company made regulated investments of approximately $2,264,742 and incurred regulated
expenses of approximately $9,696,614 to provide telecommunications service to the residents and
businesses of its serving territory. -
In part, through federal high-cost support, Silver Star has invested in a modern telecommunications
network utilizing fiber optic cable and advanced circuit-switched and IP technology throughout its
service territory resulting in a vast improvement in the quality of the service area's communications
infrastructure.
3
Report 2: §54.313 (a) (2)- Outage Report
2. Detailed information on any outage In the prior calendar year, as that term is defined In 47 CFR
4.5, of at least 30 minutes in duration for each service area in which an eligible
telecommunications carrier is designated for any facilities it owns, operates, leases, or otherwise
utilizes that potentially affect
(i)At least ten percent of the end users served in a designated service area; or
(ii)A 911 special facility, as defined in 47 CFR 4.5(e).
(iii)Specifically, the eligible telecommunications carrier's annual report must include
information detailing:
(A)The date and time of onset of the outage;
(B)A brief description of the outage and its resolution;
(C)The particular services affected;
(D)The geographic areas affected by the outage;
(E)Steps taken to prevent a similar situation in the future; and
(F)The number of customers affected.
Response:
Silver Star experienced one outage during 2011 that meets the criteria listed above:
Outage onset: 8/16/2011, 9:50 am MT
Outage repaired: 8/16/2011, 2:00 pm MT
Cause: Third Party cable cut (300-pair cable)
Resolution; Repaired cut cable; Silver Star has mechanisms in place to ensure similar
situations are avoided. Contractors are required to obtain a utility locate prior
to constructing and should take care while constructing/excavating to ensure
utilities remain intact.
Affected services; Voice and data services
Area affected: Drlggs ID
Customers affected: 200
4
Report 3: §54313 (a) (3)- Requests for Service
3. The number of requests for service from potential customers within the recipient's service areas
that were unfulfilled during the prior calendar year. The carrier shall also detail how It
attempted to provide service to those potential customers.
Response:
Silver Star does not have any outstanding requests for service from 2011 that are unfulfilled at the time
of this filing.
Report 4: §54.3 13 (a) (4)- Complaints per 1,000 Connections
4. The number of complaints per 1,000 connections (fixed or mobile) In the prior calendar year.
Response:
For the period from January 2011 through December 2011, the Company had a total of 0.49 complaints
per 1,000 access lines for supported services as reported to any federal and/or state regulatory
agencies.
Ij
Report 5: §54.313 (a) (5)-(6)- Certifications
5. Certification that it is complying with applicable service quality standards and consumer
protection rules. Certification that the carrier is able to function in emergency situations as set
forth in §54.202(a)(2).
** * ** * ** *
Response:
See Attachment 1— Affidavit of Chad Turner, Vice President/CFO
7
Report 6: §54.313 (a) (7)- Current Price Offerings
6. The company's price offerings in a format as specified by the Wireline Competition Bureau.
* ** *** * ** ** *
Response:
The Wireline Competition Bureau has not established a format for the requested information, as
specified in §54.313(a)(2)(iii)(F)(7), nor has this provision received Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) approval as of the date of this filing. Therefore, no response is required at this time.
8
Report 7: §54.313 (a) (8)- Company Identification
7. The recipient's holding company, operating companies, affiliates, and any branding (a "dba," or
"doing.bus(ness-as company" or brand designation), as well as universal service identifiers for
each such entity by Study Area Codes, as that term is used by the Administrator. For purposes of
this paragraph, "affiliates" has the meaning set forth in section 3(2) of the Communications Act
of 1934, as amended.
Response:
This provision has not received Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval as of the date of this
filing. Therefore, the requested information will be filed when appropriate.
9
Report 8: §54.313 (a) (9)- Tribal Outreach
8. To the extent the recipient serves Tribal lands, documents or information demonstrating that
the ETC had discussions with Tribal governments that, at a minimum, included:
8.1 A needs assessment and deployment planning with a focus on Tribal community anchor
institutions;
8.2 Feasibility and sustainability planning;
8.3 Marketing services in a culturally sensitive manner;
8.4 Rights of way processes, land use permitting, facilities siting, environmental and cultural
preservation review processes; and
8.5 Compliance with Tribal business and licensing requirements.
• Tribal business and licensing requirements include business practice licenses
that Tribal and non-Tribal business entities, whether located on or off Tribal
lands, must obtain upon application to the relevant Tribal government office or
division to conduct any business or trade, or deliver any goods or services to the
Tribes, Tribal members, or Tribal lands.
• These include certificates of public convenience and necessity, Tribal business
licenses, master licenses, and other related forms of Tribal government
licensure.
Response:
Sliver Star does not serve any Tribal lands. Therefore, this provision does not apply.
10
Report 9: §54313 (1) (2)- Annual Financial Report
Privately held rate-of-return carriers only.
9. A full and complete annual report of the company's financial condition and operations as of the
end of the preceding fiscal year, which is audited and certified by an independent certified
public accountant In a form satisfactory to the Commission, and accompanied by a report of
such audit. The annual report shall include:
• balance sheets,
• income statements,
• and cash flow statements along with necessary notes to clarify the financial statements.
The income statements shall itemize revenue, including non-regulated revenue, by its sources.
Response:
This provision has not received Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval as of the date of this
filing. Therefore, the requested documentation will be filed when appropriate.
11
Report 10 §54.313 (g)- Areas with No Terrestrial Backhaul
10. Carriers without access to terrestrial backhaui that are compelled to rely exclusively on satellite
backhaul in their study area must certify annually that no terrestrial backhaul options exist.
10.1 Any such funding recipients must certify they offer broadband service at actual speeds
of at least 1 Mbps downstream and 256 kbps upstream within the supported area
served by satellite middle-mile facilities. To the extent that new terrestrial backhaul
facilities are constructed, or existing facilities improve sufficiently to meet the relevant
speed, latency and capacity requirements then in effect for broadband service
supported by the CAF, within twelve months of the new backhaul facilities becoming
commercially available, funding recipients must provide the certifications required in
paragraphs (e) or (f) of this section in full. Carriers subject to this paragraph must
comply with all other requirements set forth in the remaining paragraphs of this section.
* * *** *
Response:
This item is not applicable to Silver Star.
12
Report 11: §54313 (h)- Additional Voice Rate Data
11. All incumbent local exchange carrier recipients of high-cost support must report all of their rates
for residential local service for all portions of their service area, as well as state fees as defined
pursuant to § 54.318(e) of this subpart, to the extent the sum of those rates and fees are below
the rate floor as defined in § 54.318 of this subpart, and the number of lines for each rate
specified. Carriers shall report lines and rates in effect as of June 1.
Response:
Silver Star complied with this reporting requirement when it responded to NECA's 2012 Local Rate Floor
Data Collection,
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Attachment 1
Affidavit of Chad Turner
I, Chad Turner, being of lawful age and duly sworn, on my oath and under penalty of perjury, state that I
am the Vice President/CFO and an Officer of Silver Star Telephone Company ) Inc. and that I am
authorized to execute this Affidavit on behalf of the Company, and the facts set forth in this Affidavit are
accurate to the best of my knowledge, Information and belief.
1. 1 have reviewed the foregoing 2012 ETC Certification of Support and Annual Report of Silver Star
Telephone Company, Inc. and hereby declare that the contents of the Report are true and correct to
the best of my knowledge and belief.
2. I hereby certify pursuant to the requirements under 47 C.F.R. §54.313(a)(5) and §54.313(a)(6) that:
a.Silver Star has established operating procedures designed to facilitate compliance with
applicable consumer protection rules.
b.Silver Star has established operating procedures designed to facilitate compliance with service
quality standards, which may Include customer remedies and improvement plans.
c.Silver Star Is able to remain functional In emergency situations as set forth in §54.202(a)(2), and
3. All federal universal service support provided to Silver Star was used in the preceding calendar year
and will be used in the coming calendar year only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of
facilities and services for which the support is intended.
Chad Turner
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
STATE OF WYOMING )
ss.
COUNTY OF LINCOLN)
Subscribed, sworn to and acknowledged before me on this yofiune, 2012 by
Chad Turner.
voo," ee,
Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
-
I 1lEILE1O1i4 Ajiiaic I
I '." I t *obJ
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