20240103News Release.pdf

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Case No. TRA-T-23-01
Order No. 36050
Contact: Adam Rush
Office: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

NEWS RELEASE: Commission approves company’s application to receive designation as an
eligible telecommunications carrier.

BOISE (Jan. 3, 2024) – The Idaho Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday approved an
application from Terracom Inc., to receive limited designation as an eligible telecommunications
carrier.

The approval will allow Terracom, doing business as Maxsip Tel, to be eligible to participate in
and receive reimbursement from the Idaho Telephone Service Assistance Program. To qualify as
an eligible telecommunications carrier, an application must satisfy requirements in federal and
state law. The requirements include being a “common carrier” that offers services using its own
facilities or a combination of its own facilities and resale of another carrier’s services.

State commissions determine if receiving an eligible telecommunications carrier designation is
consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity. When evaluating the public
interest element, the commission considers if the carrier contributes to state assistance programs
such as the Idaho Telephone Service Assistance Program and the Idaho Telecommunications
Relay Services program. The commission also considers if the designation is sought for only part
of a rural telephone company’s study area, which could leave some customers without service.

Other requirements to receive the designation include submission of a plan for proposed
improvements or upgrades to a company’s network, a demonstrated ability to continue offering
service in emergencies without an external power source and a demonstrated willingness to
satisfy consumer protection and service quality standards as well as financial and technical
capabilities to provide Lifeline service. Lifeline is a Federal Communications Commission
program that helps make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers.
Lifeline gives subscribers a discount on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband
Internet, or bundled voice-broadband packages bought from participating wireline or wireless
companies.

For companies seeking a Lifeline-only eligible telecommunications carrier designation, the
Federal Communications Commission has waived the requirement to submit a network
improvement and upgrade plan. These eligible telecommunications carriers do not receive funds
to improve or extend their networks.
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Terracom said it is seeking eligible telecommunications carrier designation in Idaho solely to
provide Lifeline service to qualifying customers. It has asked for permission to be reimbursed
from the Idaho Telephone Service Assistance Program, which the commission granted.

Additional information is available at puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7080.