Kansas Broadband & Telecom News - April 2026
FCC Announces Industry Workshop On IP Transition – July 15 & 16
April 30, 2026 – The Federal Communications Commission has announced that it will host an industry workshop on July 15 and July 16, 2026 to discuss the FCC’s proposed reforms to IP interconnection, intercarrier compensation, and related legacy Universal Service Fund issues. The workshop will cover issues and proposals in the FCC’s two active IP transition proceedings: IP transition (1) IP Interconnection NPRM (FCC 25-73), and (2) All IP Future NPRM (FCC 26-11). The FCC invites industry experts and stakeholders to participate. The workshop will be free and open to the public at FCC headquarters in Washington, DC. The workshop will also be streamed live online at http://www.fcc.gov/live. Additional details regarding the workshop agenda and panelists will be provided in a future public notice.
FCC To Release NPRM On Updating USF High-Cost Program
April 29, 2026 – During its May 20 open meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will approve the release of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice) that seeks comment on updating the Universal Service Fund (USF) High-Cost Program. In general, the NPRM seeks comment on updating the legacy USF high-cost mechanisms, Connect America Fund Broadband Loop Support (CAF BLS) and High Cost Loop Support (HCLS), and potential next steps for the sunsetting Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) I, Revised A-CAM I, and A-CAM II mechanisms. According to the FCC’s fact sheet, the Reforming the High Cost Program for an All-IP Future NPRM will do the following:
Seek comment on three potential paths forward for the legacy and A-CAM support mechanisms at issue in the item: (1) updating these mechanisms to align with the current landscape; (2) establishing a new, modernized fixed-support mechanism; or (3) maintaining the status quo for legacy support mechanisms and allowing the A-CAM support mechanisms to sunset.
Seek comment on the types of support that are necessary in areas where the carrier already provides service or where a competitor already provides service or will provide service pursuant to an enforceable commitment through a funding program such as the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
Seek comment on how the emergence of ubiquitous low-Earth orbit satellite service will affect the establishment of a new high-cost support mechanism. If the Commission were to modernize existing mechanisms, how should the Commission consider the presence of satellite service in areas receiving support under those mechanisms?
Seek comment on deployment obligations for USF support and on what support would be appropriate for carriers who currently receive legacy, A-CAM I, Revised A-CAM I, or A-CAM II support.
Seek comment on adopting a short-term A-CAM I extension from the end of 2026 through the end of 2028, thereby aligning the terms of the three sunsetting A-CAM mechanisms to all conclude at the end of 2028.
Seek further comment to refresh the record on proposals contained in the Commission’s 2023 Notice and seek comment on what role the USF can play in encouraging the IP transition, while also asking what sort of efficiency measures can be implemented to ensure that USF dollars are properly targeted.
Kansas Office Of Broadband Development Announces Year 6 Of Broadband Acceleration Grant Program – BAG 6 Application Window Opens April 27th
April 22, 2026 – The Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) has announced the next round of the Broadband Acceleration Grant (BAG) program – BAG 6. This new iteration of BAG will consist of $16.3 million in funding to improve broadband infrastructure using three distinct funding categories: (1) Last Mile; (2) Line Extension; and (3) Middle Mile. KOBD will make individual awards 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 will be a 50% applicant matching funds requirement.
The BAG 6 application window will open on Monday April 27, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. central, and will close on Friday June 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. central. KOBD will conduct a BAG 6 kickoff webinar on Monday April 27, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. central. During the webinar, KOBD staff will walk through the BAG 6 guidelines and the application process, and will conduct a question and answer session.
Custom Teleconnect, Inc. To Surrender Its Certificate Of Authority To Provide IXC Services In Kansas
April 22, 2026 – Custom Teleconnect, Inc. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) to surrender its Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (COC) to provide operator and resold intrastate interexchange telecommunications services in Kansas. Custom Teleconnect was granted a COC in May 2001 (Docket No. 01-CUTC-835-COC). In its application, the company states that it “does not have a customer base in the State of Kansas; therefore, no customer notice is required.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-CUTC-0295-CCS.
KCC Telecom Staff Recommends Write-Off Of $585.74 Credit Balance On Comtech 21, LLC’s KUSF Account
April 9, 2026 – The Kansas Corporation Commission’s (KCC or Commission) telecom staff has filed a Report And Recommendation that recommends the Commission issue an order authorizing the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) Administrator to write-off a credit balance of $585.74 currently on Comtech 21, LLC’s KUSF account. The KUSF Administrator, Vantage Point Solutions (VPS), sent a memorandum to the Commission in June 2025, requesting authority to write-off the credit balance of Comtech 21 LLC’s KUSF account (KS005236).
Pursuant to the KCC’s KUSF write-off policy, upon written authorization from KCC Staff or a Commission Order, the Administrator may write-off certain KUSF balances when: (1) the balance owed to the KUSF is $99.00 or less; (2) the company is at least 180 days’ delinquent with its KUSF obligations; and (3) the company is no longer operating in Kansas or the administrator does not have any current contacts for the company. The write-off policy also can be applied when all three elements are met and the company’s KUSF account reflects a credit balance. Comtech 21 LLC’s KUSF account was closed after the Commission revoked the company’s Certificates of Convenience and Authority to provide IXC and CLEC services in Kansas (Docket No. 25-CTEC-077-SHO) in December 2024.
In addition to recommending that the Commission issue an order authorizing VPS to write-off $585.74 from Comtech 21’s KUSF account and directing VPS to close the account, KCC telecom staff also recommends that the Commission require VPS retain the relevant KUSF records in such a manner as to track the write-off, the reason for the write-off, and any future transactions applicable to Comtech’s files. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-CTEC-0290-KSF.
FCC Announces Cybersecurity Workshop For Telecommunications Carriers On May 15, 2026
April 7, 2026 – The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has announced that the FCC will host a cybersecurity workshop for telecommunications carriers on May 15, 2026. The workshop will cover emerging cybersecurity risks, share and promote adoption of best practices, and highlight opportunities for public-private partnership on cybersecurity issues facing telecommunications carriers, including ransomware attacks and advanced persistent threats.
The workshop will start at 10:00am EDT on Friday, May 15, 2026. Registration is free and is open to the public. Members of the public may attend this event either in person at the FCC’s headquarters in Washington, DC, or remotely via livestream at www.fcc.gov/live. Remote and in-person registration can be completed at https://www.fcc.gov/form/public-safety-homeland-security.
Consolidated Communications of Missouri Company, LLC Files Revisions To General Exchange Tariff
April 7, 2026 – Consolidated Communications of Missouri Company, LLC has filed revisions to its General Exchange Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). The tariff revisions have a proposed effective date of May 7, 2026. Consolidated has summarized the revisions as follows:
The purpose of this filing is to include only the local and intrastate long distance service portions for business and residential bundles. The interstate long distance portion of these bundles is provided by the company’s affiliated interexchange carrier. Footnotes have been added to the tariff pages to refer to the document containing these interstate long distance plans. These administrative changes are being submitted to align how these bundles are listed in our other markets for consistency and for intrastate/interstate jurisdictional accuracy.
Five business and residential bundles are included in the changes: (1) ExpansionPAK II (EPAK II) Bundles; (2) Small Business Bundles; (3) Voice Advantage Bundles; (4) Voice Advantage II Bundles; and (5) Home Phone Bundles. Consolidated states that there is no revenue impact from the tariff revisions because the overall rates for the business and residential bundles will not change.The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-SFLT-0289-TAR.
Consolidated Communications of Missouri Company, LLC Files Revisions To General Exchange Tariff No. 1
April 7, 2026 – Consolidated Communications of Missouri Company, LLC has filed revisions to its General Exchange Tariff No. 1 with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). The tariff revisions have a proposed effective date of May 7, 2026. Consolidated has summarized the revisions as follows:
The purpose of this filing is to include only the local and intrastate long distance service portions for business and residential bundles. The interstate long distance portion of these bundles is provided by the company’s affiliated interexchange carrier. Footnotes have been added to the tariff pages to refer to the documents containing these interstate long distance plans. These administrative changes are being submitted to align how these bundles are listed in our other markets for consistency and for intrastate/interstate jurisdictional accuracy.
Three business and residential bundles are included in the changes: (1) ExpansionPAK II (EPAK II) Bundles; (2) Voice Advantage Bundles; and (3) Voice Advantage II Bundles. Consolidated states that there is no revenue impact from the tariff revisions because the overall rates for the business and residential bundles will not change. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-FCMT-0288-TAR.
Kansas Office Of Broadband Development To Hold Permitting Workshop On April 28th In Hays, Kansas
April 2, 2026 – The Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) has announced that it will hold a permitting workshop on April 28, 2026, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hays, Kansas. The workshop will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. According to KOBD’s announcement, the permitting workshop will include a variety of speakers and panel discussions covering requirements, best practices, and strategies about permitting processes. Presenters will include representatives from railroads, utilities, the Kansas Historic Preservation Office, National Telecommunications and Information Administration and others. For those that cannot attend in person, KOBD plans to stream the workshop online. Additional details and an agenda will be released in the coming weeks. Questions about the permitting workshop can be emailed to KOBD Public Affairs Manager Ben Stanton at benjamin.stanton@ks.gov.
New Kansas Corporation Commission Telecom Dockets Opened In April 2026
26-FCMT-0288-TAR – Consolidated Communication of Missouri Co LLC Application of Tariff Revisions for KCC General Exchange Tariff No 1 to Exclude Interstate Long distance Portions of Business and Residential Bundles.
26-SFLT-0289-TAR – Consolidated Communication of Kansas Co LLC Application of Tariff Revisions for KCC General Exchange Tariff Exclude Interstate Long distance Portions of Business and Residential Bundles.
26-CTEC-0290-KSF – Staff’s Petition to Open a Docket to Write-Off the Balance on Comtech 21, LLC’s Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) Account.
26-FNYV-0292-SHO – General Investigation of Fonality to Show Cause Why This Commission Should Not Levy Sanctions, Penalties, and Fines or Cancel, Suspend, or Revoke Any Authority the Carrier Holds for Non-Compliance with Kansas Statutes and Commission Orders.
26-CUTC-0295-CCS – Application of Custom Teleconnect, Inc. to Surrender Certificate of Convenience and Necessity to Provide Operator and interexchange Telecommunications Service.
