Kansas Broadband & Telecom News - April 2025
KOBD Confirms Delay & Upcoming Changes To BEAD Program
April 30, 2025 – The Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) has confirmed that the Broadband Equity Access & Deployment (BEAD) program will be delayed slightly due to changes to the program. Recently, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a blanket waiver regarding the BEAD program’s Final Proposal submission deadline. As a result, Kansas’ Final Proposal deadline is now July 22, 2025. KOBD also announced that NTIA will soon issue a Policy Notice detailing the changes to the BEAD program. NTIA’s notice of the programmatic waiver is available online.
Brightspeed Kansas Files Tariff Revisions To Increase Rates For Late Payment Charges
April 30, 2025 – Brightspeed Companies of Kansas has filed revisions to its General Exchange Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Brightspeed’s tariff revisions increase the rates for late payment charges. Brightspeed has requested an effective date of May 30, 2025. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-UTDT-390-TAR.
KCC Fines AT&T LLC $60,000 For Violations Of Kansas Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act
April 29, 2025 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has issued a notice of penalty order against AT&T LLC for 60 violations of the Kansas Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act (KUUDPA) and pipeline safety regulations. The KCC has assessed a $60,000 penalty against AT&T for the 60 violations. The KCC’s order contains the following summary of facts leading to the penalty:
Between April 30, 2024, to May 30, 2024, KCC Staff conducted multiple onsite investigations of the operations of AT&T, regarding providing timely locate marks on its underground facilities within the time allowed by the state damage prevention laws of two business days.
Staff found during its investigations that between April 30, 2024 to May 30, 2024, AT&T failed to provide excavators with the location of the tolerance zone of the buried facilities within the time required on sixty (60) separate occasions.
Following the investigation, KCC Staff issued Notices of Probable Noncompliance to AT&T LLC for each of the KUUDPA violations. AT&T responded to all violations by admitting that buried lines were not located before excavation began because of “a lack of capacity to complete the request or falling behind on projects.” AT&T LLC has 20 days to pay the $60,000 penalty, or it may request a hearing within 15 days of the date of the order. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-DPAX-300-PEN. The KCC previously issued a notice of penalty order in the amount of $8,000 for violations of the KUUDPA against AT&T LLC in November 2024.
Northeast Rural Services, LLC Requests Name Change On Certificate Of Convenience And Authority To Reflect Conversion From Corporation To LLC
April 25, 2025 – Northeast Rural Services, LLC has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting a name change on the company’s certificate of convenience and authority (COC). The company holds a COC to provide local exchange and exchange access service in legacy AT&T and CenturyLink/Brightspeed service areas in Kansas. When the Commission issued the COC, Northeast Rural Services, LLC existed as Northeast Rural Services, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation. In late 2024, the company changed its corporate form to an Oklahoma limited liability company. It is in the process of changing its Kansas foreign entity registration from corporation to limited liability company, and updating its registration with the Kansas Universal Service Fund Administrator. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-NERT-380-CCN.
KCC Staff Applies Pro-Rata Reductions To RLEC KUSF Support Amounts
April 18, 2025 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC or Commission) telecom Staff has filed a Report and Recommendation (R&R) in the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) Year 29 docket. Staff’s R&R contains data showing pro-rata KUSF support reductions and annual KUSF support amounts for each Rural Local Exchange Carrier (RLEC). Pro-rata reductions were applied because of the KCC’s approval of a $714,504 increase to Cunningham Telephone Company’s annual amount of KUSF support. Staff has requested that the Commission issue an order adopting the recommended RLEC pro-rata reductions in the R&R.
Light Source Communications, LLC Withdraws CLEC Application
April 16, 2025 – Light Source Communications, LLC has withdrawn its application requesting a Certificate of Convenience and Authority (COC) to provide resold and facilities-based local exchange service in Kansas. Light Source filed its application in November 2024, and amended it in December 2024. In its application, Light Source explained that it was seeking a COC “to provide facilities-based and resold local exchange telecommunications services that do not require an interconnection agreement in the State of Kansas.” The company also stated it “will not provide voice services, including switched access,” and that it “is not providing an intrastate switched access tariff.” Light Source further described its actual intended services as follows:
Applicant intends to provide high-bandwidth, fiber-based communications networks, and related competitive data services for high-bandwidth customers. Applicant seeks to provide primarily facilities based Dark Fiber, Private Line and Wavelength Services between multiple customer facilities and key carrier meet-point locations and local data centers. LSC customers consist of large business enterprises, governmental organizations, educational institutions, data centers, and others to best meet their individual needs, providing networks with unmatched security, flexibility, scalability and reliability.
Light Source’s notice of withdrawal does not explain why it has withdrawn its application. Presumably, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) informed Light Source that it has not sufficiently shown that it will actually provide CLEC local exchange services for which a COC can be granted. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-LSCT-209-COC.
KCC Closes Audit Of Level 3 For KUSF Year 27
April 10, 2025 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has issued an order that accepts the audit of Level 3 Communications, LLC for Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) Year 27. Vantage Point Solutions performed an audit of Level 3 for KUSF Year 27 and did not find any reporting deficiencies. The KCC’s order adopts the audit report and closes out the docket. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-L3CC-101-KSF.
Home Telephone Company Files Tariff Revisions To Remove Services That Are No Longer Provided
April 10, 2025 – Home Telephone Company has filed revisions to its General Exchange Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). The revisions remove services that are no longer provided. Home states that “[t]here is no customer impact as a result of these changes and there is no ($0.00) revenue effect.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-HOMT-372-TAR.
KCC Opens Docket For Submitting CAF/ICC Compliance Filings By June 17, 2025
April 10, 2025 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has opened a docket for price cap and rate-of-return carriers to file Connect America Fund (CAF) / Intercarrier Compensation (ICC) certifications by June 17, 2025. Pursuant to Section 51.917(d)(vii) of the FCC’s rules, a rate-of-return carrier seeking revenue recovery must annually certify as part of its tariff filings to the FCC and to the relevant state commission that the carrier is not seeking duplicative recovery in the state jurisdiction for any Eligible Recovery subject to the recovery mechanism. Pursuant to Section 51.915(d)(3) of the FCC’s rules, a price cap carrier seeking revenue recovery must annually certify as part of its tariff filings to the FCC and to the relevant state commission that the carrier is not seeking duplicative recovery in the state jurisdiction for any Eligible Recovery subject to the recovery mechanism. For rate-of-return carriers, among other things, an officer must certify that the company has complied with the FCC’s Eligible Recovery and Access Recovery Charge rules, and that the company is eligible to receive CAF/ICC support pursuant to Section 51.917(f) of the FCC’s rules. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-GIMT-310-CPL.
Kansas Governor Kelly Signs Legislation To Protect Critical Telecommunications & Broadband Infrastructure
April 7, 2025 – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has signed House Bill 2061, which amends the definition of “critical infrastructure facility” in K.S.A. 21-5818(g) to include the following:
“(7)any facility or any aboveground or belowground line, cable or wire that is used for wireline, broadband or wireless telecommunications or video services infrastructure, including:
(A) Backup power supplies; and
(B) cable television headend;
(C) antennas, radio transceivers, towers, wireless support structures, small cell facilities and any associated support structures and accessory equipment; and
(D) related equipment buildings, cabinets and storage sheds, shelters or similar structures;”
As part of the Kansas Criminal Code, the new law extends legal protections to critical telecommunications and broadband infrastructure to help ensure their security and limit service outages. These increased protections for telecommunications and broadband infrastructure are intended to help ensure reliable communications and internet services remain available to Kansans. House Bill 2061 was sponsored and introduced by the House Committee on Judiciary, and was requested by Fred Patton on behalf of Charter Communications Operating, LLC.
Brightspeed Kansas Files Revisions To General Exchange Service Tariff
April 3, 2025 – Brightspeed Companies of Kansas has filed revisions to its Kansas General Exchange Service Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-UTDT-370-TAR. Brightspeed explains the tariff revisions as follows:
This filing grandfathers Basic Rate Interface (BRI) and various packaged offers available to business customers effective May 2, 2025. A grandfathered service is one that is no longer sold, and availability is limited to lines currently in service at existing locations. This change does not impact services or features currently provided on grandfathered accounts.
In compliance with existing rules, we make this filing on at least thirty days’ advance notification and anticipate a May 2, 2025 effective date.
Mercury Broadband Is Rebranding To Mercury Fiber – Announces $85 Million Fiber Build Covering Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, & Kansas
April 1, 2025 – Mercury Broadband has issued a press release announcing that it is now Mercury Fiber, and will be “investing more than $85 Million to bring high-speed fiber internet to communities across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Kansas.” It claims the fiber build is underway and “will continue through 2026, delivering next-generation broadband access to thousands of homes and businesses in underserved areas.” The press release does not indicate how much of the $85 million will be spent in each of the four states.
For what it’s worth, in November 2024, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau released a Public Notice announcing that Mercury Broadband elected to default on its Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) winning bids in certain census block groups in Indiana and Michigan. Specifically, Mercury Broadband elected to default on 9,082 RDOF-supported locations in Indiana and 55,175 RDOF-supported locations in Michigan. In that same Public Notice, the Bureau also announced that Mercury Broadband elected to default on all RDOF winning bids in Kansas. Mercury Broadband will no longer be entitled to receive further RDOF support for the surrendered RDOF-awarded census block groups and will be subject to non-compliance penalties.
Celeste Chaney-Tucker Named New KCC Executive Director
April 1, 2025 – During its April 1st Business Meeting, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) announced that Celeste Chaney-Tucker has been hired as the KCC’s new executive director. All executive director duties that were temporarily delegated to other KCC employees while the position was vacant have been reverted back to Ms. Chaney-Tucker, effective as of April 1, 2025.
ETC Tracker: 9 ETC Applications Currently Pending Before The Kansas Corporation Commission
April, 2025 – There are currently nine eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) applications pending before the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Five applications request an initial designation as a Lifeline-only ETC. Two applications were filed by entities that have been designated as ETCs and are seeking an expansion of their ETC service areas. Two applicants are seeking a relinquishment of their ETC designations. The dockets for all of the ETC applications, along with the initial filing dates 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 (Mar. 27, 2023).
24-SAGT-326-ETC – Application Sage Telcom Communications, LLC to Expand Its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Service Area (Oct. 10, 2023).
24-IMTT-515-ETC – IM Telecom, LLC d/b/a Infiniti Mobile's Application for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (Jan. 23, 2024).
24-TCCZ-659-ETC – Application of TruConnect Communications, Inc. Application for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (Apr. 4, 2024).
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).
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).
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).
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 (Mar. 28, 2025).
25-USCZ-367-ETC – USCOC of Nebraska/Kansas, LLC Petition for Relinquishment its Designations as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Under 47 U.S.C. Section 214(e)(2) (Mar. 31, 2025).
New Kansas Corporation Commission Telecom Dockets Opened In April 2025
25-UTDT-390-TAR – Brightspeed Companies of Kansas Filing Tariff Revisions to Increase the Rates for Late Payment Charges.
25-DPAX-300-PEN – Investigation of AT&T LLC. Regarding Violations of the Kansas Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act (KUUDPA) (K.S.A. 66-1801, et seq., and K.A.R. 82-14-1 through 82-14-5) and the Commission’s Authority to Impose Penalties and/or Sanctions (K.S.A. 66-1,151).
25-NERT-380-CCN – Application of Northeast Rural Services, LLC Formerly Northeast Rural Services, Inc, to Change Name on Certificate of Convenience.
25-L3CC-101-KSF – Audit of Level 3 Communications, LLC by the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) Administrator Pursuant to K.S.A. 66-2010(b) for KUSF Operating Year 27, Fiscal Year March 2023-February 2024.
25-HOMT-372-TAR – Home Telephone Company Filing Tariff Revisions Removing Services No Longer Provided.
25-GIMT-310-CPL – CAF/ICC Certification Filing Compliance as Required under the FCC’s regulations – 47 C.F.R. 51.917(d)(1)(vii).
25-UTDT-370-TAR – Brightspeed Companies of Kansas Filing Tariff Revisions to Grandfather Basic Rate Interface and Various Packaged Offers Available to Business Customers.
