20210129Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM

TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL

FROM: MATT HUNTER
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL

DATE: JANUARY 28, 2021

SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF CEBRIDGE TELECOM ID, LLC DBA
SUDDENLINK COMMUNICATIONS’ APPLICATION FOR
DESIGNATION AS AN ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
CARRIER; CASE NO. SUD-T-21-01.

On January 6, 2021, Cebridge Telecom ID, LLC dba Suddenlink Communications
(“Suddenlink”) applied for designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (“ETC”) in
Idaho.
THE APPLICATION
Suddenlink is an indirect subsidiary of Altice USA, Inc. Application at 2. Altice USA,
Inc. was among the winning bidders in the recent Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”)
Auction 904, and Altice USA, Inc. assigned its winning bids to Suddenlink on December 22, 2020.
Id. at 3. Suddenlink seeks to be designated an ETC in the Idaho census blocks where its RDOF
funding may be used. Id. Suddenlink asserts it meets all federal and state requirements for
designation as an ETC, and argues that designating Starlink as an ETC is in the public interest. Id.
at 4-10. As receiving ETC designation from the Commission is required in order to receive RDOF
support, Suddenlink asks that the Commission approve its Application and designate Suddenlink
an ETC by June 6, 2021. Id. at 10.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission issue a Notice of Application and Notice of
Modified Procedure, setting a March 18, 2021 comment deadline and an April 1, 2021 reply
comment deadline.

DECISION MEMORANDUM 2

COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue a Notice of Application and Notice of Modified
Procedure, setting a March 18, 2021 comment deadline and an April 1, 2021 reply comment
deadline?

__________________________
Matt Hunter
Deputy Attorney General

I:\Legal\TELEPHONE\SUD-T-21-01\SUDT2101_dec memo_mh.docx