Kansas Broadband & Telecom News – October 2026
Cox Communications Withdraws From RDOF Program – Defaults On Obligation To Serve 102 Locations In Sedgwick County Kansas
October 28, 2026 – Cox Communications, Inc. has notified the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that it is completely withdrawing from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) program. Cox made the filing on behalf of its subsidiaries that were awarded RDOF support in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Virginia. Cox’s default covers all awarded Census Block Groups. In Kansas, Cox Kansas Telcom, LLC was awarded $14,314.50 in 10-year support to serve 102 locations in three Census Block Groups (201730080003; 201730100053; 201730095092), all of which are in Sedgwick County.
In its default letter to the FCC, Cox explains that some of the Cox subsidiaries have deployed broadband service to some of their RDOF locations. Cox further explains that it gave a list of unserved RDOF locations to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for consideration for Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funding (likely under the forthcoming supplemental true-up round). The Cox subsidiaries will be subject to RDOF default penalties, but Cox may attempt to seek relief from any monetary penalties via a waiver.
BAG 6 Awards Announced: Kansas Awards $12.9 Million Under Latest Round Of Broadband Acceleration Grant Program
October 22, 2026 – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has announced that $12.9 million in grant funding has been awarded to 10 entities under the sixth round of the Broadband Acceleration Grant (BAG) program. Awardees are providing nearly $14 million in matching funds, resulting in approximately $27 million for the deployment of broadband projects throughout 44 Kansas counties.
BAG 6 made $16.3 million in funding available to improve broadband infrastructure using three distinct funding categories: (1) Last Mile; (2) Line Extension; and (3) Middle Mile. Individual awards were available in amounts of up to $2 million for projects that expand access to high-quality, reliable broadband, with priority given to unserved areas, economically distressed communities, and locations of compelling need. There was a 50% applicant matching funds requirement.
Awards under BAG 6 were provided to the following entities:
Blue Valley Technologies Inc. – Awarded $1,790,026 to support 154 businesses and homes in Marshall County
ExcellentWireless LLC – Awarded $211,902 to support 232 businesses and homes in Douglas and Franklin counties
GBT Communications, Inc. – Awarded $279,445 to support 36 businesses and homes in Stafford County
Home Communications, Inc. – Awarded $1,961,020 to support 246 businesses and homes in Ellsworth and McPherson counties
IdeaTek – Awarded $3,723,304 to support 657 businesses and homes in 18 counties
IdeaTek – Awarded $2,752,385 to extend middle mile fiber optic service within 15 counties
Rainbow Communications – Awarded $614,298 to support 104 businesses and homes in Atchison and Brown counties
The Junction Internet – Awarded $469,548 to support 380 businesses and homes in Labette and Montgomery counties
The Southern Kansas Telephone Company, Inc. – Awarded $121,569 to support 47 businesses and homes in Sedgwick and Sumner counties
Twin Valley Communications, Inc. – Awarded $337,264 to support 157 businesses and homes in Clay, Dickinson, Geary and Ottawa counties
WTC Communications, Inc. – Awarded $686,518 to support 24 businesses and homes in Riley, Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties
Tempo Telecom, LLC Requests Relinquishment Of Lifeline-Only ETC Designation In Kansas
October 21, 2026 – Tempo Telecom, LLC has filed a petition with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC or Commission) requesting relinquishment of the company’s designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) effective December 31, 2026, or earlier. Tempo, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lingo Management, LLC, provides resold prepaid wireless Lifeline phone service which includes calling, text messaging, and broadband access, along with handsets, tablets or hotspot devices. The KCC designated Tempo as a Lifeline-only ETC in certain Kansas telecom exchanges in Docket No. 13-BTKT-403-ETC on June 5, 2013, and expanded that designation to additional exchanges in Docket No. 14-BTKT-051-ETC on September 10, 2013. In its petition, Tempo states that it “satisfies the requirements for relinquishment,” and that it “has only three customers within the state of Kansas.” Tempo provided notice of its decision to exit the Lifeline program to its three Kansas customers by letter and text message in September 2026. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 27-TEMT-0185-ETC.
LTS Telecommunications Services (USA) Inc. Applies For CLEC Authority In Kansas – Will Not Provide Switched Voice Local Retail Service
October 20, 2026 – LTS Telecommunications Services (USA) Inc. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC or Commission) requesting a Certificate of Convenience and Authority to provide facilities-based and resold competitive local exchange services in Kansas. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 27-LTCT-0183-COC.
In its application, LTS Telecommunications explains that it is “only seek[ing] a Certificate to offer facilities-based and resold local exchange telecommunications services that do not require an interconnection agreement in the State of Kansas.” The company states that it “does not intend to provide switched access services in Kansas at this time, but to the extent [it] plans to in the future, it will not do so without first filing an intrastate access tariff with the Commission and obtain approval of the same.” In Exhibit B to the application, LTS Telecommunications provides the following description of the services it actually intends to provide:
Applicant seeks authority to offer resold and facilities-based competing local services, including point-to-point high-capacity services (i.e., private line, Ethernet, and Wavelength). Applicant’s business is primarily focused on serving large enterprise customers at competitive rates through individual case basis contracts. Applicant requests authority to offer non-switched local exchange (non-voice) statewide. Applicant intends to construct its own fiber-optic facilities and anticipates providing key route and service maintenance on all of its constructed fiber facilities. Applicant does not have any current plans to provide switched voice local retail services to customers in Kansas.
LTS Telecommunications Services (USA) Inc. Applies For IXC Authority In Kansas – Will Not Provide Switched Access Services, Will Provide Customized Fiber Services
October 20, 2026 – LTS Telecommunications Services (USA) Inc. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC or Commission) requesting a Certificate of Convenience and Authority to provide facilities-based and resold interexchange (IXC) services throughout the State of Kansas. LTS Telecommunications also filed an accompanying application for CLEC authority. In its application, LTS Telecommunications explains that it “does not intend to provide switched access services in Kansas at this time, but to the extent [it] plans to in the future, it will not do so without first filing an intrastate access tariff with the Commission and obtain approval of the same.” The company “intends to construct its own fiber-optic facilities,” which “will be deployed in accordance with the customized needs of [its] customers.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 27-LTCT-0184-COC.
KCC Approves Application To Combine Moundridge Telephone Company Into Its Parent Company Rural Telephone Service Company, Inc.
October 13, 2026 – The Kansas Corporation Commission’s (KCC or Commission) has approved a joint application filed by Rural Telephone Service Company, Inc. d/b/a Nex-Tech (Rural) and Moundridge Telephone Company to combine Moundridge with Rural. Moundridge is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Rural. Moundridge’s operations, and its two exchanges, will now be folded into Rural. The companies must now seek approval from the FCC to combine their two study areas into one. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 27-MRGT-0005-MIS.
KCC Staff Issues Report & Recommendation On Adjustments To RLEC Intrastate Access Rates For 2027 & KUSF Support
October 8, 2026 – The Kansas Corporation Commission’s (KCC or Commission) telecommunications Staff has issued a Report & Recommendation (R&R) in Docket No. 26-GIMT-0461-GIT, which addresses the intrastate switched access rate, revenue, and Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) support adjustments for Rural Local Exchange Carriers (RLECs) consistent with K.S.A. 66-2005(c).
To compile the R&R, Staff examined each RLEC’s interstate and intrastate originating Local Switching, Transport, and Information Surcharge rates as of July 1, 2026, and the corresponding minutes of use for each access service for the 12 months prior. Staff also reviewed the calculated difference between each RLEC’s July 1, 2026, interstate and intrastate access revenues and any corresponding adjustment to its annual KUSF support. Additionally, Staff reviewed tariffed rates for RLECs that participate in the NECA tariff and access pool, and rates for RLECs that have their own interstate tariffs and intrastate tariffs.
Staff concluded that in total, RLECs will experience a net intrastate originating access revenue decrease of $30,470, comprised of the following: a decrease of $26,466 in Local Switching revenue; a $3,757 decrease in Transport revenue; and a $248 decrease in Information Surcharge revenue. The $30,470 decrease in the originating intrastate access revenue includes $8,939 for five RLECs that do not currently receive KUSF support. Excluding those five, RLECs’ originating access revenue would decrease by $21,531. A total of 19 RLEC’s intrastate originating access revenue will decrease, which results in an equal increase their annual KUSF support subject to any pro-rata reduction under KS.A. 66-2008(e)(3). One will see a decrease to its KUSF support. Ultimately, the KCC telecom Staff recommends the following:
The Commission issue an Order adopting the July 1, 2026, interstate originating access rates shown on page 3 of Exhibit 1 to this R&R as the July 1, 2027, intrastate originating access rates for the RLECs;
The Commission adopt the calculated intrastate access revenue and the corresponding KUSF support adjustments identified in Exhibit 1 to this R&R for each RLEC, effective July 1, 2027;
The Commission adopt an aggregate increase of $21,531 to RLECs’ annual KUSF support, prior to any pro-rata reduction mandated by KS.A. 66-2008(e)(3), effective July 1, 2027; and
The Commission direct affected RLECs to file revised intrastate access tariffs reflecting the access rates adopted in this Docket by May 30, 2027.
Home Telephone Company Revises General Exchange Tariff To Remove Services No Longer Provided
October 7, 2026 – Home Telephone Company, Inc. d/b/a Home Communications, Inc. has filed revisions to its General Exchange Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Home Telephone’s revisions remove services from the tariff that the company no longer provides. Home Telephone states that the tariff revisions have no effect on revenue, and no customers are affected. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 27-HOMT-0178-TAR.
Brightspeed Fiber Services, LLC Files Competitive Access Provider Services Tariff
October 1, 2026 – Brightspeed Fiber Services, LLC has filed a Competitive Access Provider Services Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Brightspeed Fiber Services has requested the tariff take effect on October 30, 2026. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 27-BSFT-0170-TAR. Brightspeed Fiber Services was granted a Certificate of Convenience and Authority to provide facilities-based and resold local exchange and exchange access telecommunications (CLEC) services in the incumbent service territories of AT&T Kansas and Brightspeed in docket 26-BSFT-0182-COC on June 9, 2026.
Brightspeed Fiber Connection, LLC Files Competitive Access Provider Services Tariff
October 1, 2026 – Brightspeed Fiber Connection, LLC has filed a Competitive Access Provider Services Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Brightspeed Fiber Connection has requested the tariff take effect on October 30, 2026. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 27-BFCT-0169-TAR. Brightspeed Fiber Connection was granted a Certificate of Convenience and Authority to provide facilities-based and resold local exchange and exchange access telecommunications (CLEC) services in the incumbent service territories of AT&T Kansas and Brightspeed in docket 27-BSFT-0091-COC on September 22, 2026.
Kansas Corporation Commission Telecom Dockets Opened In October 2026
27-BFCT-0169-TAR – Brightspeed Fiber Connection, LLC Filing Competitive Access Provider Services Tariff No. 1.
27-BSFT-0170-TAR – Brightspeed Fiber Services, LLC Filing Competitive Access Provider Services Tariff No. 1.
27-HOMT-0178-TAR – Home Telephone Company's General Exchange Tariff.
27-LTCT-0183-COC – Application of LTS Telecommunications Services (USA) Inc. for a Certificate of Convenience and Authority to Provide Resold and Facilities-Based Local Exchange Telecommunications Services in the State of Kansas.
27-LTCT-0184-COC – Application of LTS Telecommunications Services (USA) Inc. for a Certificate of Convenience and Authority to Provide Resold and Facilities-Based Interexchange Telecommunications Services in the State of Kansas.
27-TEMT-0185-ETC – Petition of Tempo Telecom, LLC to Relinquish Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of Kansas.
