20211006Update Letter.pdf

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October 6,2021
Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secrstary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
l33l I W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise,Idaho 83714
Re:Order No. 35038; Case No. SUD-T-21-0|,ln the Motter of Cebridge Telecom ID,
LLC d/b/a Suddenlink Communications' Application.for Designation as an
Eligible Telecommunicatioru Carrier
Dear Secretary Noriyuki:
On behalf ofCebridge Telecom ID, LLC d/b/a Suddenlink Communications ("Suddenlink"
or "the Company"), I am writing to provide an update to the Commission on the Company's
participation in the Federal Communications Commission's ("FCC") Rural Digital Opportunity
Fund ("RDOF") program for areas in the State of ldaho.
Suddenlink was previously awarded $10,556.00 to serve nineteen Census Blocks in ldaho
covering 140 locations through the RDOF program. However, in July 2021, the Company, along
with hundreds of other winning bidders in the RDOF auction, received correspondence from FCC
Staff identifying Census Blocks awarded through the program nationwide that may be either
already served by one or more broadband providers offering speeds of 2513 Mbps or better, or that
may not have any serviceable households (therefore rendering the Census Bloclcs ineligible for
RDOF subsidies). Staff requested that winning bidders review thc Census Blocks and consider
withdrawing their bids to the extent that the Census Blocks were actually served or lacked
serviceable households. Accordingly, Suddenlink performed its own review and./or walkout of the
nineteen awarded Census Blocks in ldaho (the entirety of its awarded bid in ldaho) and determined
that they are already served or lack serviceable households.
Suddenlink has therefore - consistent with the FCC's recommendation and relevant public
interest considerations - responded to the FCC's July correspondence by requesting to default on
the Company's winning bid encompassing the nineteen Census Blocks. Suddenlink anticipates
that the FCC will grant this request, and we will update the Commission in due counse.
Additionally, Suddenlink anticipates filing an application to the Commission to relinquish its
designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in ldaho following resolution of the
Company's RDOF obligation by the FCC.
Nevertheless, Suddenlink remains focused on opportunities to expand our broadband
footprint in the State of ldaho and to address unserved and underserved areas of the State. We
welcome the opportunity to engage with the Commission and other public officials in ldaho around
this critical need.
Should you have any questions about this matter please contact me at your earliest
convenience.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Richardson
Counselfor Cebridge Telecom ID,
LLC d/b/a Suddenlink
Communications
Karl Klein, Legal Division
Daniel Klein, Telecommunications Section