20250506Final_Order_No_36592.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
May 6,2025
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF CABLE ONE VOIP ) CASE NO. CAB-T-24-01
LLC d/b/a SPARKLIGHT'S APPLICATION )
TO RELINQUISH DESIGNATION AS AN ) ORDER NO. 36592
ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS )
CARRIER )
On December 16, 2024, Cable One VoIP LLC d/b/a/ Sparklight ("Company") applied to
the Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") to relinquish its Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier ("ETC") designation in Idaho. According to the Company, it seeks
to relinquish its ETC designation because it has withdrawn from the Federal Communications
Commission's("FCC")Rural Digital Opportunity Fund("RDOF")program for the State of Idaho.
On March 12, 2025, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Notice of
Modified Procedure, establishing public comment and company reply deadlines. Commission
Staff("Staff') filed the only comments. With this Order, we grant the Company's Application to
relinquish its designation as an ETC.
BACKGROUND
The RDOF is the largest program using Universal Service Fund("USF")money to support
broadband expansion. It will provide$20.4 billion over ten years to help build broadband networks
in rural areas. The program has two phases: Phase 1 offers up to $16.4 billion, and Phase 2 offers
at least $4.4 billion. Funding goes to areas that do not already have, or are not scheduled to get,
broadband speeds of at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. The money comes from the
USF and does not require approval from Congress.
The FCC gives out RDOF funds through a reverse auction. In this process, providers bid
for funding to serve certain rural areas, offering to do the work for the lowest amount. Before
bidding,providers must make sure the project makes financial sense regardless of RDOF support.
If it does, the provider can submit a short form application to join Phase I of the auction. If the
provider wins, they must then submit a more detailed long form application. Once approved and
they accept the funds, they commit to providing broadband and phone service to all the locations
listed in their bid. They also need to get ETC status to receive the funding.
ORDER NO. 36592 1

APPLICATION
The Company is a Delaware-based LLC with its main office at 210 E. Earl Drive,Phoenix,
Arizona 85012. It is fully owned by Cable One, Inc., a publicly traded corporation also based in
Delaware. Cable One and its subsidiaries offer cable, internet, broadband, and phone services in
Idaho. The Company is allowed to operate in Idaho as a foreign LLC.
The Company represented that its parent, Cable One, was part of a group that won bids in
RDOF Auction 904 to provide phone and internet service in various states, including Idaho. In
Case No. CAB-T-21-01, the Commission designated the Company an ETC for 57 census block
groups it won in the auction and other areas where it asked to provide federal Lifeline services.
The Company stated that on October 17, 2024, it informed the FCC it was withdrawing
from the RDOF program in Idaho. This decision was due to Cable One's major investments
expanding and upgrading broadband service, and because the RDOF project in Idaho was no
longer feasible due to unexpected cost increases since the auction ended. The FCC acknowledged
the withdrawal and issued a public notice on November 27, 2024.
The Company confirmed that it qualifies for full ETC relinquishment under federal and
Idaho law. It explained: (i) there are several other ETC providers in the areas it wants to leave,
including wireless and local carriers; (ii) the Company has no customers in Idaho, so no one will
be affected and no customer notice is needed; and (iii) since it is not currently serving anyone in
Idaho, no services will be discontinued.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff reviewed the Company's request and found that it met all the legal and regulatory
requirements under the Federal Telecommunications Act, FCC rules, and RDOF guidelines. Staff
concluded that the Company qualifies to fully relinquish its ETC status in Idaho.
According to Idaho Code § 62-610D(4), the Commission must allow a company to give
up its ETC status in areas served by more than one ETC, as long as customers will still have access
to service. The Company represented that this condition is met because many other ETC providers
serve the area, and it has no customers in Idaho who need continued service. The Company asked
the Commission to issue an order confirming it has officially and fully given up its ETC status in
the state.
ORDER NO. 36592 2

COMMISSION FINDINGS AND DECISION
The Commission has authority to grant ETC designation to a telecommunications carrier
under federal and state law. 47 U.S.C. § 214(e); Idaho Code §§ 62-610D, 62-615(1). The
Commission may also "permit an . . . [ETC] . . . to relinquish its designation as such a carrier in
any area served by more than one (1) . . . [ETC,] . . ."provided such carrier provides appropriate
notice to the Commission. Idaho Code § 62-6101)(4). Before the Commission permits an ETC to
cease providing universal service, the Commission requires a showing that all customers served
by the relinquishing carrier will continue to be served.
The Commission has reviewed the record in this case, including the Application and all
comments. The Commission finds that the original purpose for the Company obtaining ETC status
has been negated and relinquishment of the ETC is appropriate. The Commission finds that,
because the Company serves no customers in the designated areas, and those areas are already
served by other ETCs,the Company has no remaining obligations. The Commission also finds that
the Company properly notified the Commission of its intent to relinquish its ETC designation.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Company's request to relinquish its designation as an
ETC in Idaho is granted.
THIS IS A FINAL ORDER. Any person interested in this Order may petition for
reconsideration within twenty-one (21) days of the service date of this Order about any matter
decided in this Order. Within seven (7) days after any person has petitioned for reconsideration,
any other person may cross-petition for reconsideration.Idaho Code §§ 61-626 and 62-619.
ORDER NO. 36592 3

DONE by order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 61h day of
May 2025.
G
EDWARD LODG , PRESIDENT
r'N R. HAMMOND, JR., COMMISSIONER
1
DAYN AARIJIE, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
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Commission Secretary
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ORDER NO. 36592 4