20260917Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER LODGE
COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSIONER HARDIE
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: KELSEA E. ROSS
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF CUSTER TELEPHONE BROADBAND
SERVICES LLC AND CUSTER TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE, INC.'S
JOINT APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF MERGER, TRANSFER
OF CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY,
AND ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS; CASE NOS.
CTB-T-26-01 & CUS-T-26-01.
On March 19, 2026, Custer Telephone Broadband Services LLC ("CTBS") and Custer
Telephone Cooperative, Inc. ("CTCI") (collectively the "Parties") jointly applied
("Application") to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") requesting an order
from the Commission approving: (1)the merger of CTBS into CTCI; (2)the transfer of CPCN
Certificate No. 501 from CTBS to CTCI; and (3) granting eligible telecommunications carrier
("ETC") status to CTBS. Application at 3-5. On May 5, 2026, the Parties filed an amended
joint application ("Amended Application") to change the Parties' request for how CPCN
Certificate No. 501 and CTBS' ETC status would be transferred to CTCI.Amended Application
at 1-2.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Commission Staff recommends that the Commission issue a Notice of Application and
Notice of Modified Procedure,establishing an October 16,2026,public comment deadline, and
an October 23, 2026, reply comment deadline.
DECISION MEMORANDUM 1

COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue a Notice of Application and Notice of Modified
Procedure, establishing an October 16, 2026, public comment deadline, and an October 23,
2026, reply comment deadline?
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Kelsea E. Ross
Deputy Attorney General
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DECISION MEMORANDUM 2