20260331Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER LODGE
COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSIONER HARDIE
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: ALLISON MOORE, COMMISSION STAFF
ERIKA K. MELANSON,DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: MARCH 31, 2026
SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF METRO FIBERNET, LLC'S APPLICATION FOR
APPROVAL AS A COMPETITIVE LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIER IN
THE STATE OF IDAHO; CASE NO. MFN-T-25-01.
On August 21, 2025, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") issued an
order granting Metro Fibernet, LLC ("Company") a Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity ("CPCN"). Order No. 36733. The Commission also directed the Company to submit
separate compliance filings by September 10, 2025, December 10, 2025, and March 10, 2026,
indicating the number of basic local exchange customers served by the Company and the services
being offered. Id. at 4.
The Company submitted compliance filings on September 9,2025,December 3,2025, and
March 10, 2026. All three filings indicated that the Company did not yet serve local exchange
customers.
On March 23, 2026, the Company filed a Request for Extension ("Request"). The
Company maintained that while the Company's build plan for Idaho remained in progress, it was
not yet ready for deployment. Request at 1. The Company requested that the Commission allow
an extension to provide basic local exchange services in Idaho to December 31, 2026, and agreed
to provide additional intermediate compliance filings should the Commission deem necessary.Id.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Commission Staff ("Staff') recommends that the Commission grant the Company an
extension, until December 31, 2026, to begin offering basic local exchange services within the
State of Idaho.
DECISION MEMORANDUM - 1 - MARCH 31, 2026

The Commission has long maintained a practice of requiring certificated companies to
begin providing basic local exchange services within a reasonable and timely period following the
issuance of a CPCN. See Order No. 34852. This expectation ensures that entities holding CPCNs
actively serve the public interest and fulfill the obligations associated with such authority. Id.
Staff acknowledges previous Commission orders that state that a CPCN may not be issued
to, or retained by, a company that does not provide basic local exchange service. See Order No.
34130. However, the Company's current request for an extension includes representations that it
intends to initiate service by the end of calendar year 2026. Request at 1. Based on these
representations, Staff finds it reasonable to allow additional time for the Company to meet its
service obligations.
Accordingly, Staff supports granting the requested extension, subject to the condition that
the Company begins offering basic local exchange services no later than December 31, 2026.
Should the Company fail to do so, Staff will re-evaluate the matter at that time and make a
recommendation to the Commission to consider revocation of the Company's CPCN consistent
with Order No. 36733.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue an extension to the Company,allowing until December
31, 2026, to begin providing basic local exchange services in the State of Idaho?
Allison Moore
Commission Staff
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DECISION MEMORANDUM - 2 - MARCH 31, 2026