Kansas Broadband & Telecom News - May 2025
Broadwing Communications Files Revisions To Kansas Tariff No. 5. To Grandfather Private Line Services
May 22, 2025 – Broadwing Communications, LLC has filed revisions to its Kansas Tariff No. 5. with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Broadwing has provided the following description of the revisions:
Effective June 22, 2025, Private Line Services will no longer be available to new customers or for new orders from existing customers, including any Moves, Adds or Changes. Customers with services under existing contracts will continue to be supported as required until the expiration of the contract. Contracts will not be renewed. Service terms will expire at the end of the current applicable service term. Customers have been notified of this change.
Broadwing Communications is a subsidiary of CenturyLink, Inc. (Lumen Technologies, Inc.). Broadwing was a subsidiary of Level 3, but became a CenturyLink company after Level 3 was acquired by CenturyLink in 2017. In 2020, CenturyLink changed its name to Lumen Technologies, Inc., but still uses the CenturyLink brand for legacy communications services. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-C3CC-426-TAR.
Twin Valley Companies File K.S.A. 66-1213a Notice
May 22, 2025 – Twin Valley Telephone, Inc. Twin Valley Communications, Inc., Southern Kansas Telephone, Inc., and SKT, Inc. have filed a K.S.A. 66-1213a notice with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). The letter provides notice of a modification to a 2023 loan agreement involving the entities. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-TWVT-435-CPL.
KCC Order Applies Pro-Rata Reductions To RLEC Annual KUSF Support Amounts
May 20, 2025 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC or Commission) has issued an Order Adopting KUSF Pro-Rata Support Reductions in the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) Year 29 docket (25-GIMT-141-GIT). The Order adopts the KCC Telecom Staff’s April Report & Recommendation containing pro-rata reductions to each Rural Local Exchange Carrier’s (RLEC) annual KUSF support amount. The Pro-rata reductions reflect two recent actions impacting KUSF support. First, the calculations account for the KCC’s approval of a $714,504 increase to Cunningham Telephone Company’s annual amount of KUSF support in Docket No. 25-CNHT-185-KSF on April 3, 2025. Second, the calculations account for United Telephone Association, Inc.’s reduction in annual KUSF support caused by the sale of its South Englewood exchange in early 2025. Total annual KUSF support distributed to all RLECs is capped $30 million. Once the cap is met, each RLEC’s annual KUSF support amount is pro-rated based on the amount each carrier would have received absent the cap.
Mergers & Acquisitions: Charter Communications Merging With Cox Communications In $34.5 Billion Deal
May 16, 2025 – Charter Communications, Inc. and Cox Communications have announced that they have entered into an agreement to merge their companies. Charter is one of the largest U.S. broadband providers, with roughly 30.1 million broadband customers across 41 states. Cox is the largest private broadband company in the U.S., serving around seven million homes and businesses across 18 states.
Within a year after the deal closes, the combined company will change its name to Cox Communications, and Spectrum will become the consumer-facing brand within the communities Cox serves. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals, and Charter shareholder approvals. The combined entity will assume Cox’s approximately $12 billion in outstanding debt. Charter’s press release announcing the deal provides the following additional details of the transaction:
Charter will acquire Cox Communications’ commercial fiber and managed IT and cloud businesses, and Cox Enterprises will contribute Cox Communications’ residential cable business to Charter Holdings, an existing subsidiary partnership of Charter.
The proposed transaction values Cox Communications at an enterprise value of approximately $34.5 billion.
As consideration in the transaction, Cox Enterprises will receive: $4 billion in cash; $6 billion notional amount of convertible preferred units in Charter’s existing partnership, which pay a 6.875% coupon, and which are convertible into Charter partnership units, which are then exchangeable for Charter common shares; and Approximately 33.6 million common units in Charter’s existing partnership, with an implied value of $11.9 billion, and which are exchangeable for Charter common shares.
The combined company will remain headquartered in Stamford, CT, and will maintain a significant presence on Cox’s Atlanta, GA campus following the closing.
Based on Charter’s share count as of March 31, 2025, at the closing, Cox Enterprises will own approximately 23% of the combined entity’s fully diluted shares outstanding, on an as-converted, as-exchanged basis, and pro forma for the closing of the Liberty Broadband merger.
Charter expects approximately $500 million of annualized cost synergies achieved within three years of close – stemming from typical procurement and overhead savings.
Mercury Broadband Requests Relinquishment Of ETC Designation In Defaulted RDOF Census Blocks
May 13, 2025 – Mercury Wireless Kansas, LLC d/b/a Mercury Broadband has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting KCC approval to relinquish its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designation in census blocks where Mercury defaulted on its Rural Digital Opportunities Fund (RDOF) winning bids. If the ETC relinquishment request is approved, Mercury’s ETC service area will be amended to include only census blocks where Mercury was designated as an ETC for purposes of receiving Connect America Fund Phase II (CAF II) auction support. Mercury states that “there are remaining companies designated as ETCs which could (and carry ETC obligations to) serve any potential customers in the RDOF Census Blocks being relinquished…with this Application.” Mercury further explains that “the RDOF Census Blocks in Kansas for which [it] seeks approval for relinquishment…are census blocks where [it] is not serving any customers[,]” and “[t]herefore, no customers will be affected by approval of this Application's request for approval for relinquishment.” The census blocks where Mercury has requested ETC relinquishment are located in the Kansas Counties of Dickinson, Kingman, and Riley. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-MWKT-402-ETC.
ESPN Announces Direct-To-Consumer Streaming Service
May 13, 2025 – ESPN has announced that it will soon release a direct-to-consumer streaming service containing all of its programming, with various monthly or annual pricing plans. The ESPN unlimited plan will provide access to all of ESPN’s linear networks and all of ESPN’s other content for $29.99 per month or $299.99 annually. The select plan will provide access to all content available on ESPN+, ESPN studio shows, on-demand replays, and original content for $11.99 per month. ESPN also will offer bundles with Disney+ and Hulu. Additional details, including the specific launch date, will be announced later this summer.
FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington: Slash the Universal Service Fund
May 9, 2025 – Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Nathan Simington and his Chief of Staff Gavin Wax have written an opinion piece in the Daily Caller titled “It’s Time For Trump To DOGE The FCC.” In the article, Commissioner Simington says “[t]he FCC is a prime candidate for DOGE-style reform.” He offers four suggestions for making DOGE-style reforms to the FCC, two of which relate to the universal service fund:
2. Slash the Universal Service Fund and Related Mandates
Few Americans realize that federally mandated fees, which are set at the sole discretion of the FCC, not Congress, to raise the cost of monthly phone bills for voice service by over 36 percent. These fees fund a patchwork of programs under the Universal Service Fund (USF), including the Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) and other telecommunications relay services. While originally well-intentioned, many of these programs have become outdated, inefficient, and ripe for reform.
3. Modernize the Universal Service Fund Model
The broader USF is an amalgam of obsolete and overlapping initiatives. Programs like E-rate and Lifeline, while once valuable, have lost relevance in the age of widespread mobile internet and emerging satellite services. Wired internet subsidies are increasingly unnecessary and cost-inefficient.
The rise of satellite broadband, such as Starlink, and fixed wireless alternatives offer a more scalable, less expensive solution. Rather than spending billions to trench fiber cable to remote areas, the FCC should adopt a technology-neutral approach that lets innovation drive infrastructure deployment. Reforming USF to reflect these realities is long overdue and would align with DOGE’s mission of smarter, leaner government.
Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 Introduced In The Senate – Would Require Broadband & Edge Providers To Contribute To USF
May 7, 2025 – Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) have introduced the Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 (S. 1651). It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. If passed into law, the bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require broadband service providers and broadband edge service providers to contribute to the Universal Service Fund (USF). It also would do the following:
Direct the FCC to reform the USF by expanding the base so that edge providers and broadband providers contribute on an equitable and nondiscriminatory basis to preserve and advance universal service;
Limit assessments of edge providers to only those with more than 3% of the estimated quantity of broadband data transmitted in the United States and more than $5 billion in annual revenue;
Direct the FCC to adopt a new mechanism under the current USF high-cost program to provide specific, predictable, and sufficient support for expenses incurred by broadband providers that are not otherwise recovered; and
Limit the FCC’s authority over edge providers and broadband providers only to requiring contributions to the USF.
Kansas Department Of Transportation Releases Draft Policy For Partnerships With Broadband Providers For Construction & Operation Of Broadband Infrastructure In Highway Rights-Of-Way
May 6, 2025 – The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has released an initial draft of a policy for partnering with broadband providers to construct, access, and operate broadband infrastructure in Kansas highway rights-of-way. KDOT has requested public comments on the draft policy be submitted on or before May 30, 2025. The draft policy covers a wide range of issues: dig once notification procedures; contracting requirements; application processes; permitting; construction standards; insurance requirements; railroad ROW permits; KDOT vault access; access to and locations for regeneration buildings; lease and in-kind trade partnering methods; and other considerations. When ultimately finalized, the policy will allow broadband providers to access broadband infrastructure that is either planned or under construction along priority freight routes in Kansas. KDOT expects to propose legislation during the 2026 legislative session to support the final policy and enable KDOT to receive funding from partners who desire to use the broadband infrastructure.
S&T Files Revisions To General Exchange Tariff To Increase Certain Rates
May 5, 2025 – The S&T Telephone Cooperative Association has filed revisions to its general exchange tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). S&T’s filing revises some of its service rates. The company estimates that the revenue effect of its tariff revisions is approximately $1,300 annually. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-S&TC-397-TAR.
ETC Tracker: 9 ETC Applications Currently Pending Before The Kansas Corporation Commission
May 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. One application was filed by an entity that has been designated as an ETC and is seeking an expansion of its ETC service area. Two applicants are seeking relinquishment of their entire ETC designations. One applicant is seeking a partial relinquishment of its ETC designation. 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 (application filed Mar. 27, 2023) (application amended Sep. 8, 2023)
24-IMTT-515-ETC – IM Telecom, LLC d/b/a Infiniti Mobile's Application for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (application filed Jan. 23, 2024) (application amended Mar. 29, 2024)
24-TCCZ-659-ETC – Application of TruConnect Communications, Inc. Application for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (application filed 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 (application filed 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 (application filed 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 (application filed 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 (application filed 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) (application filed Mar. 31, 2025).
25-MWKT-402-ETC – Mercury Wireless Kansas, LLC's Application to Amend its ETC Designated Service Area and for Approval to Relinquish ETC Designation in RDOF Census Blocks Being Returned (application filed May 13, 2025).
New Kansas Corporation Commission Telecom Dockets Opened In May 2025
25-C3CC-426-TAR – Broadwing Communications, LLC. Kansas Filing Tariff No. 5. Grandfathering of Private Line Services.
25-TWVT-435-CPL – Twin Valley Telephone, Inc. Twin Valley Communications, Inc., Southern Kansas Telephone, Inc. and SKT, Inc. Notice of Loan Terms Pursuant K.S.A. 1213a.
25-MWKT-402-ETC – Mercury Wireless Kansas, LLC's Application to Amend its ETC Designated Service Area and for Approval to Relinquish ETC Designation in RDOF Census Blocks Being Returned.
25-S&TC-397-TAR – S&T Telephone Coop Assn Section 3, 2nd Revised Sheet 8 General Exchange Tariff.
