20140124notice_of_application_order_no_32968.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
January 24,2014
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )
OF Q LiNK WIRELESS LLC FOR )CASE NO.QLW-T-13-O1
DESIGNATION AS AN ELIGIBLE )
TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER IN )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
IDAHO )
)NOTICE OF
)MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)
________________________________
ORDER NO.32968
YOU ARE 1-IEREBY NOTIFIED that on May 6,2013,Q Link Wireless LLC
(Company”or Q Link”)filed an Application,pursuant to 47 U.S.C.§214(e)(2),Sections
54.101 through 54.207 of the Rules of the Federal Communications commission (“FCC”),and
the rules and regulations of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”),seeking
designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (“ETC”)in the State of Idaho for the sole
purpose to provide Lifeline service to qualifying Idaho consumers.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Q Link is a Delaware corporation with its
principal business office located in Dania,Florida.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Q Link provides commercial mobile radio
service (“CMRS”).The Company provides prepaid wireless telecommunications services
similar to TracFone,Inc.and Virgin Mobile USA.L.P.The Company utilizes the network and
facilities of Sprint Spectrum.L.P.(‘Sprint”)Network and Sprint extel.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Q Link attached a copy of its FCC-approved
Compliance Plan,Exhibit 4,granting forbearance to the FCC’s facilities requirement as a
Lifeline only ETC.Q Link commits to providing Lifeline service in Idaho in accordance with
the Compliance Plan.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Q Link has been designated as an ETC in
Arizona,Colorado,Kansas,Kentucky,vaine,Maryland,Michigan,Minnesota,Missouri,
Nevada,Ohio,Oklahoma,Pennsylvania,Texas,Utah,West Virginia,and Wisconsin.The
Company has pending ETC Applications in several other states.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company markets its prepaid
telecommunications services to low-income consumers.The Company offers three basic
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32968
Lifeline plans to eligible non-Tribal customers and a single plan to eligible Tribal customers.Q
Link allows customers to purchase additional minutes by phone,on-line or through retail outlets.
Q Link’s Lifeline plans include a free handset,Caller ID,Call Waiting,and Voicemail.A
detailed description of the Company’s Lifeline plans is attached to the Application as Exhibit 2.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Q Link states that it meets all of the Section
214 requirements for designation as an ETC.The Company believes that granting its
Application would promote the public interest by providing a competitive choice for low-cost,
high quality telecommunications services in Idaho.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Q Link states that its operations in Idaho will
not unduly burden the USF.The Company will obtain compensation for eligible customers and
adhere to the safeguards outlined in the Lifeline and Link-up Reform Order in order to minimize
the likelihood of customers/households receiving duplicative support.
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 Commission’s 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 may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission within
twenty-one (21)days from the service date of this Notice.The comment must contain a
statement of reasons supporting the comment.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 Lance J.M.Steinhart,P.C.
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Attorney for Q Link Wireless LLC
P0 Box 83720 1725 Windward Concourse,Suite 150
Boise,ID 83720-0074 Alpharetta,GA 30005
E-Mail:lsteinhart(telecomcounsel.com
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W.Washington Street
Boise,ID 83702-5918
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32968
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 or Question
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 Applicant 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
set,the Commission will consider them and,in its discretion,may set the same for formal
hearing.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application has been filed with the
Commission and is 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
Telephone 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 Commission’s jurisdiction under Title 62 of the Idaho Code and specifically
Idaho Code §62-61 OD.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 31.01.01.000 et seq.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Q Link’s Application will be processed under
Modified Procedure.Persons interested in submitting written comments regarding this case or
protesting the use of Modified Procedure should do so no later than 21 days from the service date
of this Order.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32968 3
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of January 2014.
,
PAUL KJELLANDE,P1ESIDENT
MACK A.REDFORIX COMMISSIONER
s
ATTEST:
Jean D.Jewel
Commission Secretary
O:QLW-T-13-O1 np
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32968
MARSHA H.SMITH,COMMISSIONER
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