150224_FSIETC.pdf

Case No. FSI-T-14-01, Order No. 33226
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone], 890-2712
www.puc.idaho.gov

First Step Internet granted ETC status;
hopes to expand broadband in rural areas

BOISE (Feb. 24, 2015) – A Moscow-based company seeking to qualify for federal funds to expand
broadband services in rural parts of Idaho has been granted conditional Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) status by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.

The conditional ETC status is required by the Federal Communications Commission by no later
than March 5 for telecommunications providers who hope to qualify for federal funding as part of
the FCC’s Rural Broadband Experiments. The FCC will allocate about $4.5 billion over a five-year
period to new advanced networks in rural and insular communities. ETC status is granted by state
commissions after the companies meet specified criteria.

First Step Internet is a facilities-based regional Internet Service Provider that will use a
combination of its own network and facilities as well as resale of another carrier’s services. Kevin
Owen of Moscow is listed as president on the company’s application.

First Step Internet will offer a variety of services including dial-up, DSL, fiber, cable Internet, fixed
wireless broadband services and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). The service area for which
the company requested ETC designation includes some 27 communities and surrounding rural
areas in north and central Idaho.

To be declared an ETC by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, First Step Internet had to meet a
number of criteria including customer access to emergency services such as 911 and enhanced
911. The company must also have a reasonable amount of back-up power to ensure functionality
without an external power source, be able to re-route traffic around damaged facilities and be
capable of managing traffic spikes resulting from emergencies. It must contribute to the Idaho
Telephone Assistance Program for low-income customers, E-911 emergency fund, the state
Universal Service Fund and the Telecommunications Relay Service for those with hearing and
speech disabilities.
The company must further demonstrate that the ETC is in the public interest by increasing
customer choice and making available new service offerings including wireless broadband. It
must also comply with the state’s consumer protection and service quality standards.

The commission’s final order, along with the company’s application and other documents, are
available on the commission’s Website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on “Open Cases” under the
“Telecommunications” heading and scroll down to Case No. FSI-T-14-01.

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