ETC Tracker: 10 ETC Applications Currently Pending Before The Kansas Corporation Commission
January 1, 2025 – There are currently 10 eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) applications pending before the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Five applications request an initial designation as a Lifeline-only ETC. Four applications were filed by entities that have been designated as ETCs and are seeking an expansion of their ETC service areas. One applicant is seeking a relinquishment of its ETC designation. The KCC docket numbers for all of the ETC applications, along with the initial filing date and short summary are listed below:
23-DWLZ-676-ETC, DISH Wireless L.L.C. Application for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of Kansas for the Limited Purpose of Providing Lifeline Service to Qualifying Customers.
DISH Wireless L.L.C. dba Gen Mobile Seeking Designation As Lifeline-ETC In Kansas
March 27, 2023 – DISH Wireless L.L.C. dba Gen Mobile is seeking designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) in the State of Kansas for the limited purpose of providing Lifeline service under the brand name “Gen Mobile” to qualifying Kansas consumers, including those consumers residing on federally recognized Tribal lands.
24-SAGT-326-ETC, Application Sage Telcom Communications, LLC to Expand Its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Service Area (Oct. 10, 2023).
Sage Telecom Communications, LLC d/b/a TruConnect Files Application To Expand Its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Service Area In Kansas
October 10, 2023 – Sage Telcom Communications, LLC d/b/a TruConnect (Sage) has filed an application with the KCC to expand its eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) service area. More specifically, Sage is requesting to further expand its ETC designated service area to include additional wire centers within the wireless network coverage of its underlying carriers that were not included in its prior ETC designations. The wire centers are located within the service areas of rural ILECs, AT&T Kanas, and Brightspeed companies. Sage is seeking an expanded ETC service area to enable it to provide Lifeline service to additional qualifying Kansas households. Sage is not seeking high-cost universal service fund support. The KCC first designated Sage as a wireless ETC on June 14, 2013, in Docket No. 13-SAGT-407-ETC, and in August 2014, granted Sage’s application to expand its ETC service area.
24-MCCT-411-ETC, Application of Midcontinent Communications, A South Dakota General Partnership, for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (Nov. 28, 2023).
Midco Requests ETC Designation In Portions Of Johnson & Wyandotte For Purposes Of Receiving Lifeline Support
November 28, 2023 – Midcontinent Communications (Midco) has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (ETC) requesting designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) in two areas that include portions of Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas. Midco is seeking ETC designation in these areas in order to be eligible to receive support from federal and state Lifeline programs. Midco, a South Dakota General Partnership, was granted a Certificate of Convenience and Authority to provide competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) and switched access service in Kansas in areas served by AT&T Kansas and CenturyLink (now served by Brightspeed) (Docket No. 17-MCCT-252-COC). Midco was previously designated as an ETC by the KCC in the company’s operating footprint in the Lawrence, Bonner Springs, Bethel, Tonganoxie, Eudora, Basehor, and Linwood exchanges or zones (Docket N. 17-MCCT-254-ETC). In its application, Midco requests ETC designation in two areas which include portions of Johnson and Wyandotte counties: Area 1: Western Johnson County from De Soto to the county line of Douglas County. The area does encompass a portion of the City of De Soto. The north border is K 10 (Governor John Anderson Jr. Hwy). The east border serves the parcels on the east side of Lexington Ave. and the south border serves the parcels along the south side of W 103rd street; Area 2: A portion of the City of Bonner Springs, Kansas. This area is: Minnesota Avenue between N 142nd St and N 141st St; N 142nd Street from Minnesota Avenue to just north of Riverview Ave.; N 141st Street from Minnesota Avenue to Sandusky Ave.; Sandusky Ave. between N 141st St and N 142nd St. Midco currently provides communications services in and around the towns of Lawrence and Eudora in Douglas County, Kansas, which are adjacent to the areas where Midco is seeking ETC designation. Midco is seeking ETC designation for purposes of receiving federal and state Lifeline support. All Lifeline program funding received by Midco “will be used…to reduce the cost of basic local service provided to those customers qualified to receive support under the program.”
24-IMTT-515-ETC, IM Telecom, LLC d/b/a Infiniti Mobile's Application for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (Jan. 23, 2024).
IM Telecom, LLC d/b/a Infiniti Mobile Requests ETC Designation In Kansas To Provide Lifeline Service
January 23, 2024 – IM Telecom, LLC d/b/a Infiniti Mobile has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) which requests designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) in the state of Kansas solely for the purpose of providing Lifeline service to qualifying consumers. Infiniti Mobile is not seeking, and is not eligible for, funding from the universal service Link Up program or high-cost support program. In its application, Infiniti Mobile asserts that it “meets all the statutory and regulatory requirements for designation as an ETC in the State of Kansas.” Infiniti Mobile is an Oklahoma Limited Liability Company, with its principal office located in Plano, Texas. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of KonaTel, Inc., a Delaware corporation which acquired Infiniti Mobile in January 2019. Infiniti Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that uses the underlying wireless networks of AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile USA, Inc. on a wholesale basis. Infiniti Mobile has been designated as a Lifeline-only wireless ETC in the states of California, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, and Wisconsin, and has been authorized by the FCC to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program throughout the U.S.
24-NTHT-589-ETC, Application of Nex-Tech, LLC for an Order Confirming Relinquishment of its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation In Specified Census Blocks (Feb. 23, 2024).
Nex-Tech, LLC Requests Relinquishment Of ETC Designation In Certain Census Blocks In Its Abilene Local Exchange Service Area
February 23, 2024 – Nex-Tech, LLC has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (Commission) requesting an order confirming relinquishment of its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designation in certain census blocks in its Abilene local exchange service area. More specifically, Nex-Tech, LLC is seeking to relinquish its ETC designation in certain census blocks in its Abilene exchange in Dickinson County, Kansas, that are served by one or more remaining ETCs. In 2021, the Commission designated two other telecommunications carriers as ETCs for purposes of being eligible to receive federal high-cost universal service fund support in the Abilene exchange census blocks.
24-TCCZ-659-ETC, Application of TruConnect Communications, Inc. Application for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (Apr. 4, 2024).
TruConnect Communications, Inc. Seeking ETC Designation In Kansas To Provide Lifeline Service
April 4, 2024 – TruConnect Communications, Inc. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) in the State of Kansas. TruConnect is seeking ETC designation solely for the purpose of providing Lifeline service to qualifying Kansas consumers. TruConnect is not seeking Universal Service Fund (USF) support from the Link-Up program or the high-cost mechanism.
24-NTWZ-672-ETC, Application of Nex-Tech Wireless, LLC for Expansion of its Designation as a Lifeline-Only Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (Apr. 12, 2024).
Nex-Tech Wireless Requests Expansion Of Lifeline-Only ETC Designation
April 12, 2024 – Nex-Tech Wireless, LCC has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting an expansion of its Lifeline-only Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designation. Nex-Tech Wireless currently provides mobile wireless services to consumers in all or part of 44 counties in Kansas using various spectrum licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission. Nex-Tech Wireless is seeking to expand its Lifeline-only ETC designation which will enable it “to provide significant discounts off the cost of monthly service to eligible subscribers in additional rural areas where [it] offers wireless service.”
25-GOMT-124-ETC, Application of Go MD USA LLC For a Limited Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier for the Purpose of Offering and Operating a Lifeline Service for Low Income Consumers (Aug. 9, 2024).
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.
25-VMBZ-235-ETC, Application of the Assurance Wireless USA, L.P. to Expand its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designated Service Area and to Receive Lifeline Support for Eligible Services (Dec. 6, 2024).
Assurance Wireless Request Expansion Of ETC Designation For All Areas Where It has Wireless Coverage In Kansas
December 6, 2024 – Assurance Wireless USA, L.P. has filed an application requesting the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) expand its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designated service area for Lifeline only services in Kansas. Additionally, Assurance Wireless is seeking eligibility to receive funding from the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) for service to eligible low-income consumers throughout the company’s designated service areas in Kansas. Assurance Wireless (formerly Virgin Mobile USA, L.P.) was previously designated an ETC by the KCC in November 2011. In its application, Assurance Wireless requests expansion of its designated ETC service area to allow it to provide Lifeline services to eligible low-income households anywhere it currently has wireless coverage in Kansas. The company is a Lifeline-only ETC, and is not seeking designation to receive high-cost universal service fund support.
25-AVWZ-250-ETC, Application of Air Voice Wireless, LLC for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 for Lifeline Purposes Only (Dec. 23, 2024).
Air Voice Wireless, LLC Seeking Designation As Lifeline-Only ETC In Kansas
December 23, 2024 – Air Voice Wireless, LLC d/b/a AirTalk Wireless has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting designation as Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) for the purpose of receiving only federal Lifeline universal service support. Air Voice Wireless is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that provides commercial mobile radio service and mobile broadband services by reselling the services and connectivity of an underlying wireless carrier. The company is seeking ETC status in the areas of Kansas where its underlying facilities-based wireless carrier, AT&T Wireless, has wireless coverage. Air Voice is a Texas limited liability company, and has been designated as a Lifeline-Only ETC in Alaska, Arkansas, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming; as well as in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
