20260818Motion for Extension of Time.pdf

RECEIVED
August 18, 2026
IDAHO PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMISSION
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF TRUCONNECT )
COMMUNICATIONS,INC.'S ) Case No. TCC-T-24-01
APPLICATION FOR DESIGNATION AS )
AN ELIGIBLE )
TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER )
IN THE STATE OF IDAHO
MOTION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO MEET ORDER'S CONDITIONS
TruConnect Communications, Inc. (TruConnect or the Company), by its undersigned
counsel, and pursuant to Rule 056 of the Rules of Procedure of the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission(Commission), respectfully requests an extension of time to meet the conditions set
forth in an Order No. 36738 dated August 22, 2026 (Order). Specifically, TruConnect requests
that the Commission allow an additional six months, until February 22, 2027, for its parent
company to take certain actions described in the Order. As detailed in this Motion, there is good
cause for the Commission's grant of this Motion and it will not cause customer confusion.
Furthermore, counsel for Commission Staff advised counsel for TruConnect that Staff would not
object to this Motion.
In the Order, the Commission approved TruConnect's application for designation as an
eligible telecommunications carrier(ETC). TruConnect's affiliate, Sage Telecom
Communications, LLC (Sage), is also an ETC. During the proceeding, Commission Staff
expressed a concern about having two affiliated companies operating as ETCs in the same
service area. To address Staff's concern, on May 30, 2025, TruConnect filed a certification
signed by Sage, in which Sage committed to work with the Federal Communications
Commission(FCC) on a process to transfer its existing subscribers to TruConnect. Sage also
stated that within one year of an order designating TruConnect as an ETC, Sage would either be

sold, introduce at least one new service plan distinct from those offered by TruConnect, or
relinquish its ETC designation without prejudice.'
In accordance with the Order, TruConnect has been submitting quarterly reports to the
Commission detailing the status of the customer transfer and plans for Sage. In the last quarterly
report, dated July 29, 2026, TruConnect advised that the Company had met with Federal
Communications Commission(FCC) Staff in the Wireline Competition Bureau, that FCC Staff
indicated that they would provide guidance regarding options to transfer Sage's Lifeline
customers to TruConnect, and that FCC Staff and TruConnect continue to be in communication
about this matter.
Over the past twelve months, the number of Lifeline customers enrolled with Sage has
declined from over 700 to 358, and it is expected that the number of subscribers will continue to
decline. Over the same period, TruConnect has been enrolling new Idaho Lifeline customers.
Given that the number of Sage subscribers is declining and that new subscribers in Idaho are
being enrolled with TruConnect, neither group of customers is confused by this situation. Sage's
legacy Lifeline subscribers continue to receive service in the same manner that they currently
receive Lifeline service, while new Lifeline subscribers understand that they are receiving
service from TruConnect.
Allowing TruConnect additional time to meet the Order's conditions will enable the
Company to continue its communications with the FCC regarding transferring the remaining
Sage Lifeline customers to TruConnect while not causing harm to Sage or TruConnect's
customers. An extension will also allow Sage's parent company to continue to explore
opportunities for Sage to acquired, rather than being forced to relinquish a valuable asset.
i See Order, at 2 and 5.
2

WHEREFORE, TruConnect respectfully requests that the Commission extend the
deadline for meeting the conditions in the Order for six months.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra McGuire Mercer
Nelson Mullins Riley& Scarborough LLP
901 15th Street,NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005
[phone]
debra.mercerknelsonmullins.com
Counsel for TruConnect Communications, Inc.
August 18, 2026
3

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF TRUCONNECT )
COMMUNICATIONS,INC.'S ) Case No. TCC-T-24-01
APPLICATION FOR DESIGNATION AS )
AN ELIGIBLE )
TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER )
IN THE STATE OF IDAHO
I hereby certify, that on this 18th day of August 2026, I served the foregoing MOTION
FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO MEET ORDER'S CONDITIONS in TCC-T 24-01 upon the
Commission and each party designated to receive service by email:
Erika K. Melanson
Deputy Attorney General
11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, Idaho 83714
erika.melanson(&,puc.idaho.gov
/s/Sidney Silver
Sidney Silver
August 18, 2026