20260113Final_Order_No_36904.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
January 13,2026
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF ASSURANCE ) CASE NO. VMU-T-25-01
WIRELESS USA, L.P.'S APPLICATION TO )
EXPAND ITS ELIGIBLE )
TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER ) ORDER NO. 36904
SERVICE AREA )
On June 24,2025,Assurance Wireless USA,L.P. ("Company"),formerly known as Virgin
Mobile USA, L.P. (Order No. 34618), applied to the Commission requesting approval to expand
its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier("ETC") service area to provide Lifeline only services in
the state of Idaho.
On October 17,2025,the Commission issued a Notice of Application and set deadlines for
public and Staff comments and the Company's reply. Order No. 36750. Staff submitted comments
and supplemental comments. No other comments were received.
Based on our review of the record, the Commission now issues this Final Order granting
the Application, which authorizes the Company to expand its current ETC service area to a
statewide designation for the purpose of providing Lifeline service.
BACKGROUND
Under the Federal Communications Act of 1934,as amended,a telecommunications carrier
is eligible to receive federal support from the Universal Service Fund ("USF") throughout the
service area for which an ETC designation is granted. 47 U.S.C. § 214(e). Lifeline is a program
supported by the USF that provides monthly discounts to eligible low-income subscribers to
maintain access to communications networks. Lifeline and Link Up Reform Order, 27 F.C.C.R.
6656 at 6662-63. The Commission has the authority to grant ETC designations within Idaho. 47
U.S.C. §214(e)(2). To qualify as an ETC,an applicant must satisfy several requirements of federal
and state law. See 47 U.S.C. § 214(e); Order No. 29841.
In 2012,the Commission designated the Company a wireless ETC for specified geographic
areas. Order No. 32645.
ORDER NO. 36904 1

THE APPLICATION
According to the Company, it is a wholly owned subsidiary of T-Mobile USA, Inc.
Application at 2. The Company sought to expand its ETC service area to encompass statewide
authority where the Company has wireless coverage for the sole purpose of providing Lifeline
service to additional qualifying Idaho households, including customers on Tribal lands, through
participation in the federal USF low-income program.Id. at 1-2. The Company represented that it
does not seek access to funds from the federal USF for the purpose of providing service to high-
cost areas. Id. at 1.
The Company contended that approval of its ETC designated service area expansion
request would serve the public interest by allowing the Company to provide Lifeline services to
qualifying low-income households anywhere the Company has wireless coverage in Idaho. Id. at
2. The Company also asserted that it meets all federal and state requirements for designation as an
ETC in its proposed expanded service area. Id. at 3. The Company further represented that it has
complied with previous Commission orders regarding ETC designation, including all service
requirements applicable to recipients of Lifeline support.Id. at 4.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff reviewed the Company's Application and the state ETC requirements laid out in
Order No. 29841. Staff believed the Company's proposal satisfied all relevant requirements
justifying expansion of its current ETC service area to a statewide designation for the purpose of
providing Lifeline service. Staff Supplemental Comments at 2. Staff believed the Company's
proposal satisfies the relevant public interest considerations, and that the Company complied with
the tribal notification requirements set forth in Commission Order No. 35126. Id. Staff
recommended the Commission approve the Company's Application, as filed. Id.
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 and 62-615(1). After
reviewing the record, including the Company's Application and Staff Comments, we find that
allowing the Company to provide Lifeline services to qualifying low-income households anywhere
the Company has wireless coverage in Idaho is consistent with the public interest. Accordingly,
we approve the Application as filed.
ORDER NO. 36904 2

ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Application is granted as filed, authorizing the
Company to expand its current ETC service area to a statewide designation for the purpose of
providing Lifeline service.
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 regarding 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. See Idaho Code §§ 61-626 and 62-619.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 13t'day of
January 2026.
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EDWARD LODGE, P SIDENT
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J R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER
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Commission Secretary
I:\Legal\TELE COM\V MUT2501\orders\V MUT2501_fo_j I.docx
ORDER NO. 36904 3