20260109Staff Comments.pdf

RECEIVED
January 09, 2026
ERIKA K. MELANSON IDAHO PUBLIC
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL UTILITIES COMMISSION
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83702
[phone]
IDAHO BAR NO. 11560
Attorney for the Commission Staff
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF COMMNET )
WIRELESS,LLC'S APPLICATION TO ) CASE NO. CWL-T-25-01
RELINQUISH DESIGNATION AS AN )
ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS )
CARRIER ) COMMENTS OF THE
COMMISSION STAFF
COMMISSION STAFF ("STAFF") OF the Idaho Public Utilities Commission
("Commission"), by and through its attorney of record, Erika K. Melanson, Deputy Attorney
General, submits the following comments.
BACKGROUND
On November 7, 2025, Commnet Wireless, LLC ("Company") applied to the
Commission requesting to relinquish its designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier
("ETC"). The Commission designated the Company as an ETC in Order No. 35049 in Case No.
CWL-T-21-01 on May 21, 2021. Application at 1. On December 19, 2025, the Commission
issued Order No. 36878 which provided notice of the Company's Application and set public
comment and Company reply deadlines.
The Company states in the Application that it was granted ETC status in a single census
block group ("CBG") in Boise County, Idaho, and to participate in the Federal Communications
Commission's ("FCC") Rural Digital Opportunity Fund("RDOF")program. Id. at 1-2. On
December 9, 2024, the Company notified the FCC that it was withdrawing its winning RDOF
STAFF COMMENTS 1 JANUARY 9, 2026

bid for the CBG in Boise County, Idaho due to increased costs. Id. at 2. On January 15, 2025,
the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing that the CBG that the Company had withdrawn its
bid from was eligible for other funding programs. Id.
STAFF ANALYSIS
Staff has reviewed the Company's Application and Idaho Code § 62-61 OD (4) which
describes the parameters to relinquish the designation of an ETC. The Company states that
relinquishment of the Company's ETC in this area will not harm the public because the
Company does not serve any Idaho customers pursuant to its ETC designation, so there is no
concern in regard to discontinuance of service. Id. at 2-3. The Company and Staff have
identified several other CBG companies with ETC designations and comparable services in the
area. Id. at 2-3. Staff has determined that the Company has met the requirements to relinquish
the designation of an ETC.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends rescinding the Company's ETC designation.
Respectfully submitted this 9th day of January 2026.
Erika K. Melanson
Deputy Attorney General
Technical Staff. Allison Moore
I:\Utility\UMISC\COMMENTS\CWL-T-25-01 Comments.doex
STAFF COMMENTS 2 JANUARY 9, 2026

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT I HAVE THIS 0 DAY OF JANUARY 2026,
SERVED THE FOREGOING COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION STAFF, IN
CASE NO. CWL-T-25-01, BY E-MAILING A COPY THEREOF, TO THE
FOLLOWING:
For the Company:
PRESTON CARTER
GIVENS PURSLEY LLP
601 WEST BANNOCK STREET
P.O. BOX 2720
BOISE, ID 83701
E-MAIL: prestoncarter(&,givenspursley.com
morgan og odin(aa,givenspursle,
PATRICIA JORDA9, SECRETARY
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE