20160829TDS Telecom 2016 Final ETC Certification.pdf

August 29, 2016
Ms. Jean Jewell
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 West Washington Street
Boise, ID 83720-0074
filed via email to Jean Jewell
Re: Potlatch Telephone Company, Inc. -Universal Service Certification
47 USC 254(e); 47 CFR § 54.314
Docket No. GNR-T-16-01
This letter is to request that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission notify the Universal Service
Administrative Company (USAC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that
Potlatch Telephone Company, Inc. d/b/a TDS Telecom is eligible to receive federal high-cost
support in accordance with the above-referenced statute and federal rule.
In accordance with the PUC's Order No. 29841, Potlatch Telephone Company submits the
attached affidavit in support of this request.
Any questions or concerns can be directed to Gail Long at 541-516-8210 or
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
~j~
Bruce Schiefelbein
Manager -Regulatory Compliance
TDS Telecom
608-664-5455
Attachments
c.c. Gail Long
State of Wisconsin )
) ss
County of Dane )
Docket No. GNR-T-16-01
CERTIFICATION BY ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER
OF COMPLIANCE WITH SERVICE QUALITY AND 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 TDS Telecommunications Corporation, parent company of Potlatch Telephone
Company, d/b/a TDS Telecom, 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. Potlatch 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 Potlatch Telephone Company in
the previous calendar year, and 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, 2017, through
December 31, 2017, 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 Telecommunication~ Act d Nfi,-c;, A4J
Executive Vice President
TDS Telecom
Title
Ch. :l9. t.01~
Date ~ '
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ..di.__day of August, 2016.