Kansas Broadband & Telecom News - October 2025
NTIA Assistant Secretary Outlines NTIA Oversight Of BEAD Program – No USF For BEAD Sub-Awardees, No State Rate Regulation, BEAD Will Be Last Federal Broadband Program
October 28, 2025 – The head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Arielle Roth, gave a speech at The Hudson Institute titled Making BEAD Work: How NTIA Is Working to Minimize Defaults and Deliver Universal Broadband. The speech outlined how NTIA will continue its oversight role of the BEAD program after NTIA approves states’ final plans and individual BEAD awards. Specifically, NTIA will focus on preventing BEAD sub-awardees from defaulting on their grant-funded projects. Also, NTIA will ensure that states are exercising proper oversight by requiring states to include certain contractual provisions in their BEAD grant contracts with sub-awardees. Some of the key points in Assistant Secretary Roth’s speech, within the quotation marks, are included below:
Fixed Wireless & LEO Satellite Technology – “Take for example, unlicensed fixed wireless. Once viewed as an unreliable service, unlicensed fixed wireless is now using breakthrough technology that can deliver reliable, high-speed broadband even in non-line of sight environments. Or, the evolution of LEO satellite technology, that has gone from achieving speeds of 100/20 Mbps to now demonstrating the capability of delivering gigabit speeds. These advancements would not have been possible if the market wasn’t challenged to find alternative solutions.”
The BEAD Program Should Be The Last Federal Broadband Funding Program – “Being good stewards of taxpayer money means holding awardees accountable and making sure those who take taxpayer dollars will deliver on their promises. That is what will set BEAD apart and ensure that this really is the last broadband funding program.”
NTIA Will Require States To exempt BEAD Sub-Awardees From Rate Regulation & Net Neutrality Requirements – “Consistent with the law, which explicitly prohibits regulating the rates charged for broadband service, NTIA is making clear that states cannot impose rate regulation on the BEAD program. To protect the BEAD investment, we are clarifying that BEAD providers must be protected throughout their service area in a state, while the provider is still within its BEAD period of performance. Specifically, any state receiving BEAD funds must exempt BEAD providers throughout their state footprint, from broadband-specific economic regulations, such as price regulation and net neutrality.”
The BEAD Program Should Be The Last Major Federal Broadband Investment – “BEAD projects are inherently risky. These are the hardest-to-serve areas in the country—the ones the private sector didn’t reach even with earlier federal programs. But BEAD is likely to be the last major federal broadband investment—as it should be—and providers that are banking on future subsidies to stay afloat, are setting themselves, and their communities, up to fail.”
No USF Support For BEAD-Funded Projects – “To protect BEAD from such risks, NTIA will require states to have providers certify in writing that they will not require or take additional federal subsidies—including operational subsidies—to complete or operate their BEAD projects. Those unwilling to make that commitment will not get an award. Their proposed service areas will instead go to entities that can and will deliver.”
TracFone Wireless Changing Official Name To Verizon Value, Inc.; Will Still Offer Prepaid Mobile Wireless Service Under The TracFone & SafeLink Wireless d/b/a Brands
October 23, 2025 – TracFone Wireless, Inc. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting that its official corporate name be changed on its Kansas eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designation to Verizon Value, Inc. However, the company will continue to do business as “TracFone” and “SafeLink Wireless,” and the branding of its stores, websites, advertising and services will be unaffected by the new corporate name. TracFone provides prepaid mobile wireless service. It was designated as an ETC by the KCC in December 2010. In April 2025, TracFone submitted a filing with the Kansas Secretary of State to change its name from TracFone Wireless, Inc. to Verizon Value, Inc. In its application, TracFone explains that other than the requested name change, no other changes are being made to its corporate structure, management or business operations, and the requested name change will not affect the rates or services offered to its customers. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-TFWZ-121-CCN.
Assurance Wireless Requests Expansion Of ETC Designated Service Area
October 21, 2025 – Assurance Wireless USA, L.P. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting an expansion of its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designated service area in the state of Kansas. Assurance Wireless is a wholly owned subsidiary of T-Mobile USA, Inc. that provides mobile wireless Lifeline phone services to low-income residents in 47 states using T-Mobile’s network infrastructure. Assurance Wireless was designated as a wireless ETC by the KCC in November 2011 in certain areas of Kansas only for the purposes of providing Lifeline services (Docket No.10-VMBZ-657-ETC). In July 2025, the KCC approved Assurance Wireless’ request to expand its ETC designated service area (Docket No. 25-VMBZ-235-ETC). Assurance Wireless’ current request does not seek designation in the expanded areas to receive high-cost support from the federal universal service fund.
Assurance Wireless is seeking a further expansion of its designated ETC service area to include everywhere it has access to wireless coverage in Kansas. This includes expansion into federal tribal lands and areas in which UScellular had been designated as an ETC. In July 2025, T-Mobile, Assurance Wireless’ parent company, completed its acquisition of UScellular’s wireless operations, customers, and approximately 30% of UScellular’s licensed spectrum. In its application, Assurance Wireless explains that the requested ETC designation expansion “will allow [it] to provide Lifeline services to eligible low-income households anywhere it will have wireless coverage in Kansas after the integration of UScellular network assets into T-Mobile’s network.” Assurance Wireless further claims that the KCC’s grant of the application “would advance the public interest by enabling Assurance Wireless to expand the availability of its Lifeline service to substantially more low-income consumers in Kansas, including those Lifeline customers previously served by UScellular.” Assurance Wireless’ basic free Lifeline offering for non-tribal land includes: unlimited domestic voice minutes, 10 GB of data each month, and unlimited texts. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-VMBZ-119-ETC.
Twin Valley Telephone Company To Surrender Certificate Of Authority To Provide Interexchange Services; Moving Long Distance Customers To Twin Valley Communications
October 17, 2025 – Twin Valley Telephone Company, Inc. (TVT) has filed an application to surrender its Certificate of Convenience and Authority (COC) to provide interexchange telecommunications (IXC) services within the state of Kansas. The Kansas Corporation Commission granted TVT a COC to provide intrastate IXC services in Kansas in August 1999 (Docket No. 99-TWVC-755-COC). TVT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Twin Valley Management, Inc., which operates as a holding company. Twin Valley Management also wholly owns The Southern Kansas Telephone Company, Inc., SKT, Inc., and Twin Valley Communications, Inc. All companies are part of the unified Twin Valley brand.
As part of an effort to streamline TVT’s operations, TVT’s long distance customers are being transferred to Twin Valley Communications, Inc., which possesses a certificate of convenience and authority to provide interexchange service within the state of Kansas. In its application, TVT states that the effective date of the transfer is September 1, 2025, and Federal Communications Commission approval was obtained September 24, 2025. TVT informed its customers of the transfer in July 2025, and has provided a copy of the customer notice with its application. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-TWVC-117-CCS.
Southern Kansas Telephone To Surrender Certificate Of Authority To Provide Interexchange Telecommunications Services; Moving Long Distance Customers To Twin Valley Communications
October 17, 2025 – The Southern Kansas Telephone Company, Inc. has filed an application to surrender its Certificate of Convenience and Authority (COC) to provide interexchange telecommunications (IXC) services within the state of Kansas. The Kansas Corporation Commission granted Southern Kansas Telephone Company a COC to provide intrastate IXC services in Kansas in March 2000 (Docket No. 00-SNKC-730-COC). Southern Kansas Telephone Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Twin Valley Management, Inc., which operates as a holding company. Twin Valley Management, Inc. also wholly owns SKT, Inc., Twin Valley Telephone, Inc., and Twin Valley Communications, Inc. All companies are part of the unified Twin Valley brand.
As part of an effort to streamline Southern Kansas Telephone Company’s operations, all long distance customers are being transferred to Twin Valley Communications, Inc., which possesses a certificate of convenience and authority to provide interexchange service within the state of Kansas. In its application, Southern Kansas Telephone Company states that the effective date of the transfer is September 1, 2025, and Federal Communications Commission approval was obtained September 24, 2025. Southern Kansas Telephone Company informed its customers of the transfer in July 2025, and has provided a copy of the customer notice with its application. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-SNKC-116-CCS.
Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services, LLC Changing Name To Fidium Enterprise Services, LLC
October 13, 2025 – Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services, LLC has filed a notification application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC or Commission) requesting a change in name to Fidium Enterprise Services, LLC. The filing includes the following explanation:
The Company is authorized to provide interexchange services pursuant to authority initially granted in Docket No. 00-EVCC-873-COC on June 1, 2000. The Company became a Delaware limited liability company effective August 1, 2025. The Company’s name change to Fidium is part of our ongoing efforts to align our corporate identity with our strategic direction. The new name reflects our growth and evolving business focus, while maintaining the same legal entity and corporate structure. The Company will be operating under two assumed business names – Consolidated Communications and Fidium for Fidium Enterprise Services, LLC.
The filing requests that the KCC update all Commission records and authorities to reflect the name change to Fidium Enterprise Services, LLC and the use of two assumed business names. Included with the filing is a copy of a notification to customers, a copy of the registration of the name change with the Delaware Secretary of State, and a copy of the registration of the name change with the Kansas Secretary of State. There is no tariff update because the company does not maintain a Kansas tariff. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-COSC-111-CCN.
FCC To Release IP Interconnection Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking & Broadband Labels Further Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking At October 28th Open Meeting
October 7, 2025 – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has announced the tentative agenda for the FCC’s next open meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Two items on the agenda will impact Kansas broadband providers. First, the FCC will vote to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on IP interconnection requirements for incumbent local exchange carriers. Second, the FCC will vote to issue a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to eliminate certain broadband label requirements. The FCC’s open meeting announcement contains the following summaries of the IP interconnection NPRM and the broadband labels FNPRM:
IP Interconnection – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would examine the interconnection requirements imposed on incumbent local exchange carriers, and seek comment on ways the Commission can facilitate a successful transition to all-IP interconnection for voice services while retaining critical oversight in areas of public safety and consumer protection. (WC Docket Nos. 25-304, 25-208, 17-97)
Empowering Broadband Consumers Through Transparency – The Commission will consider a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would propose to eliminate certain broadband label requirements and seek comment on other ways to streamline the broadband label rules to reduce compliance burdens while preserving their consumer benefit. (CG Docket No. 22-2)
The FCC’s October 28, 2025 open meeting is scheduled to commence at 10:30 a.m. ET in the Commission Meeting Room of the Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. The meeting is open to the public, but the FCC headquarters building is not open access, and all guests must check in with and be screened by FCC security at the main entrance on L Street. All FCC open meetings are streamed live at www.fcc.gov/live.
Private Equity Purchasing Elkhart Telephone – Joint Application Requests Approval Of Acquisition
October 1, 2025 – Elkhart Telephone Company, Inc. (Elkhart Telephone) and IdeaTek Telcom, LLC (IdeaTek) have filed a joint application requesting that the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) approve IdeaTek’s acquisition of Elkhart Telephone. The parties have requested expeditious approval of the application, and waiver of any notice, publication, or hearing requirements. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-ELKT-109-ACQ. Concurrent with the KCC application, the parties have filed a Section 214 transfer of control application with the Federal Communications Commission. The deal is expected to close in early 2026, and is subject to regulatory approvals.
Pursuant to a September 15, 2025 stock purchase agreement, Last Dance Holdco, Inc., which is primarily owned and controlled by funds and entities affiliated with Oak Hill Capital Management and Pamlico Capital Management, will acquire all of the outstanding voting and equity stock of Epic Touch Co. (Epic Touch). Elkhart Telephone is a wholly owned subsidiary of Epic Touch.
Immediately after the transaction closes, both Epic Touch and Elkhart Telephone are expected to convert to Delaware limited liability companies (Epic Touch Holdings, LCC and Elkhart Telephone Company, LLC). Thereafter, all of the equity ownership interests in both companies will be transferred to IdeaTek. As a result of that pro forma ownership transfer, Epic Touch will be a direct wholly owned subsidiary of IdeaTek, and Elkhart Telephone will be an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of IdeaTek.
Ideatek is directly, wholly owned by IdeaTek Holdings, which is directly wholly owned by Last Dance Intermediate III, LLC (LDI), a Delaware limited liability company and investment fund, created for the purpose of purchasing Ideatek in March 2025. LDI is indirectly and wholly owned by Last Dance Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and investment fund. Last Dance Holdings, L.P. is primarily owned and controlled by funds and entities affiliated with Oak Hill Capital Management and Pamlico Capital Management, which are private equity funds based in the United States.
In the joint application requesting KCC approval of the acquisition, the parties explain that the transaction “is in the public interest because it meets the Commission’s standards for mergers and acquisitions of Kansas public utilities.” In support, the parties have included the following details on the effects of the transaction:
It is the intent of IdeaTek to continue to provide service under the Elkhart Telephone name for a period of time after the transaction closes.
The transaction will not result in any changes to the day-to-day operations of Elkhart Telephone.
Aside from certain executive-level personnel changes no substantive changes will be made to Elkhart Telephone as a result of this transaction.
Present employees of Elkhart Telephone will continue in their roles of providing service to customers.
The transaction will not result in any changes to the rates, terms, or conditions of service for Kansas customers, nor will it cause any service disruption.
Elkhart Telephone anticipates it will continue to provide high quality communications service, with enhancements from IdeaTek’s additional resources.
IdeaTek commits that it will adequately capitalize Elkhart Telephone and ensure that the company has the capital necessary to carry out its obligations.
The transaction will be financed entirely by cash (through both cash on hand and by drawing on existing debt financing) as detailed in the Stock Purchase Agreement.
New Kansas Corporation Commission Telecom Dockets Opened In October 2025
26-ELKT-109-ACQ – Transfer of Ownership of Elkhart Telephone Company, Inc. to IdeaTek Telcom, LLC.
26-COSC-111-CCN – Notification of the Name Change from Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services, LLC to Fidium Enterprise Services, LLC and Adoption of Two Assumed Business Names Consolidated Communications and Fidium for Fidium Enterprise Services, LLC.
26-SNKC-116-CCS – Application of The Southern Kansas Telephone Company, Inc. to Surrender its Certificate of Convenience to Provide Interexchange Telecommunications Services.
26-TWVC-117-CCS – Application of Twin Valley Telephone Company, Inc. to Surrender its Certificate of Convenience to Provide Interexchange Telecommunications Services.
26-VMBZ-119-ETC – Application of Assurance Wireless USA, L.P. to Expand Its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designated Service Area.
26-TFWZ-121-CCN – Application of TracFone Wireless, Inc. for a Name Change on Their ETC Designation in the State of Kansas.
26-MDTT-136-MIS – Application of Madison Telephone, LLC for a Waiver from Certain Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards.
26-UTDT-138-COM – Complaint Against Brightspeed by Dan L. Davis.
ETC Tracker: 4 ETC Applications Currently Pending Before The Kansas Corporation Commission
October 2025 – There are currently four eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) applications pending before the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Two applicants are requesting initial designations as Lifeline-only ETCs, one applicant is seeking relinquishment of its ETC designation, and one applicant is seeking an expansion of its ETC designated service area. The KCC dockets for all of the ETC applications, along with filing dates are listed below:
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 (Lifeline-Only ETC application filed August 9, 2024) (Revised Application filed June 20, 2025).
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 (Lifeline-Only ETC application filed December 23, 2024).
25-SWBT-364-MIS – Petition of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, LLC d/b/a AT&T Kansas for an Order Confirming Relinquishment of Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation in Specified Areas (application filed March 27, 2025).
26-VMBZ-119-ETC – Application of Assurance Wireless USA, L.P. to Expand Its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designated Service Area (application filed October 21, 2025).
