20210211Notice_of_Application_Order_No_34921.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34921 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
February 11, 2021

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

On January 4, 2021, Starlink Services, LLC (“Starlink”) applied for designation as an
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (“ETC”) in Idaho.
The Commission now sets deadlines for interested persons to comment on the
Application, and for Starlink to reply.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Starlink is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Space
Exploration Technologies Corp. (“SpaceX”). SpaceX was a winning bidder at the Rural Digital
Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”) auction to provide satellite broadband and standalone voice services
in 35 states, including Idaho. Starlink states SpaceX assigned its winning bids to Starlink.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Starlink explains that “receipt of RDOF
support is contingent on Starlink Services receiving an ETC designation from the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission by June 7, 2021.” Application at 1, Exhibit 2. As part of its Application,
Starlink includes a list of the census blocks in Idaho where it is requesting to be designated an
ETC. Id. at Exhibit 1.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Starlink asserts it meets all federal and state
requirements for designation as an ETC and that designating Starlink as an ETC is in the public
interest.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application is available for public
inspection during regular business hours at the Commission’s office. These documents are also
available on the Commission’s web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the “TELECOM” icon,
select “Open Cases,” and click on the case number as shown on the front of this document.
IN THE MATTER OF STARLINK
SERVICES, LLC’S APPLICATION FOR
DESIGNATION AS AN ELIGIBLE
TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER FOR
PURPOSES OF RECEIVING RURAL
DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
SUPPORT
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CASE NO. SSL-T-21-01

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 34921
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34921 2

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 § 62-615.
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.
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 persons desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment explaining why the person supports or opposes the
Application. Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written
comments. Persons shall have until March 11, 2021 to file written comments. Comments must
be filed through the Commission website or by e-mail unless computer access is unavailable. To
comment electronically, please access the Commission’s home page at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click
the “Case Comment Form” and complete the form using the case number as it appears on the front
of this document. To file by e-mail, the customer must e-mail the comments to the e-mail
addresses listed below. In addition to submitting the comments to the Commission Secretary, the
customer must also e-mail the Company at the e-mail addresses listed below. If computer access is
unavailable, then comments may be mailed to the Commission and Company at these addresses:
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NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34921 3

For the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission:

Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074

E-mail: [e-mail]

Street Address for Express Mail:

11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, Idaho 83714

For Starlink Services, LLC:

R. Edward Price
Senior Counsel
Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
1155 F Street, N.W.
Suite 475
Washington, DC 20004
E-mail: [e-mail]

Jennifer Richter
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Washington, DC 20006
E-mail: [e-mail]
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Starlink must file any reply comments by
March 25, 2021.
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.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Starlink’s Application be processed by Modified
Procedure, Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204). Persons interested in submitting written
comments must do so by March 11, 2021. Starlink must file any reply comments by March 25,
2021.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties should continue to comply with Order No.
34781, issued September 17, 2020. All pleadings should be filed with the Commission
electronically and shall be deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See
Rule 14.02. Service between parties should also be accomplished electronically. Voluminous
discovery-related documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34921 4

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 11th
day of February 2021.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

KRISTINE RAPER, COMMISSIONER

ERIC ANDERSON, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

I:\Legal\TELEPHONE\SSL-T-21-01\SSLT2101_ntc app mod proc_MH.docx