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Kansas Broadband & Telecom News - August 2024

Tony Veach

Bolz Insurance, Inc. Files Formal Complaint Against Lumen

August 23, 2024 – Bolz Insurance, Inc. has filed a formal complaint against Lumen with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Bolz Insurance’s complaint alleges that Lumen increased Bolz Insurance’s monthly rate from $1,159 to $6,374 without prior notification. Among other things, the complaint further alleges Lumen did not provide a bill under the increased rate for two months, and later provided a bill requesting full payment for those two months. The KCC Docket No. for the proceeding is 25-QWCT-139-COM.

Sherry Massey Appointed As New Executive Director Of Kansas 911 Board

August 19, 2024 – The Kansas 911 Coordinating Council has announced that Sherry Massey has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Kansas 911 Board. According to the press release announcing the appointment, “in her new role, Sherry will oversee the implementation of cutting-edge 911 technologies, ensuring that the state’s emergency response infrastructure remains robust and responsive to the needs of its citizens, as well as the development of a new state agency.” On July 1, 2025, the Kansas 911 Coordinating Council will become the Kansas State 911 Board. This transition will occur as a result of House Bill 2690 which was passed by the Kansas Legislature and then signed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly on April 15, 2024.

KCC Business Meeting Consent Agenda – Telecommunications Items – August 13th

August 12, 2024 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is expected to approve the following telecommunications items, included on a consent agenda, during the KCC’s business meeting on Tuesday August 13, 2024 at 10:00 am:

Order Designating New Presiding Officer – KCC Docket No. 24-GIMT-459-GIT – General Investigation into Depreciation Rates Applicable to Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers.

Order Designating New Presiding Officer – KCC Docket No. 24-GIMT-380-MIS – Petition to Eliminate Any Commission Requirement to Distribute Annually a Printed Directory.

All items consent agenda (proposed orders dealing with routine, procedural, administrative, or uncontested matters) on the are considered to be routine by the KCC, and will be considered together as a single item. However, any KCC Commissioner may request that a proposed order be removed from consideration at a meeting. KCC business meetings are accessible via the KCC YouTube channel link on the KCC website at http://kcc.ks.gov/.

GO MD USA LLC Applies For ETC Designation To Provide Lifeline Services In Kansas

August 9, 2024 – GO MD USA LLC has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) which requests designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline services to low income consumers. GO MD USA LLC, a South Dakota limited liability company, provides resold wireless telecommunications services – voice, text messaging, and mobile broadband – in all 50 U.S. states and the territories of D.C. and Puerto Rico, utilizing the networks of AT&T and T-Mobile. The company is seeking ETC designation to provide Lifeline services under the brand name “GO MD USA Mobile” to qualifying Kansas consumers in areas served by the its underlying wireless carriers, AT&T and T-Mobile. The KCC Docket No. for the proceeding is 25-GOMD-124-ETC.

Google Fiber Expanding To Lawrence, Kansas In 2025

August 7, 2024 – Google Fiber Kansas, LCC is bringing its broadband service to Lawrence, Kansas by the end of 2025. Google Fiber currently provides high-speed broadband throughout much of the Kansas City metro area. On August 6th, the Lawrence City Commission recently passed an ordinance granting Google Fiber a franchise with the city. Under the franchise agreement, Google Fiber will pay a franchise fee of 2% of quarterly gross revenues from broadband service for the ability to construct its fiber network in the city’s public rights-of-way. Google Fiber provided the following entry on its blog to announce the future expansion to Lawrence:

Lawrence is a friendly, vibrant community and GFiber is looking forward to helping residents connect to everything the internet has to offer. We’re kicking off the design and engineering process now, and expect to start construction next year. We’ll work closely with the City of Lawrence to ensure that we minimize any disruption  and that we are keeping residents informed throughout this project. Service will be available to our first customers in Lawrence by the end of 2025. Residents who want to stay up to date on what’s happening with Google Fiber in Lawrence can sign up for updates here. 

KCC Opens Kansas Universal Service Fund Year 27 Audits

August 6, 2024 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has issued orders opening Kansas universal service fund (KUSF) audits for KUSF Year 27 for the following companies:

KCC Opens Kansas Universal Service Fund Year 27 Audits

August 1, 2024 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has issued orders opening Kansas universal service fund (KUSF) audits for KUSF Year 27 for the following companies: