Kansas Broadband & Telecom News – June 2026
Resound Networks Declines BEAD Funding In Kansas
June 22, 2026 – Resound Networks has declined to accept its Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funding in Kansas. Resound Networks was awarded $13.88 million in BEAD funding to deploy fixed wireless broadband service to 8,455 locations in Kansas. The cost per location for Resound’s total funding was $1,641.95. A majority of Resound’s funded-locations were in Northwest Kansas. Resound has reportedly declined awarded BEAD funding in a handful of other states.
New Record! USF Contribution Factor For Third Quarter Of 2026 – 38.8%
June 12, 2026 – The FCC’s Office of Managing Director (OMD) has announced that the proposed universal service fund (USF) contribution factor for the third quarter of 2026 will be 38.8 percent. If the FCC takes no action on the proposed USF contribution factor within 14 days, it will be declared approved.
The 38.8% contribution factor for 3Q 2026 is a new all-time high. The previous record for the highest USF contribution factor was 38.1% which was used for 4Q 2025. Also, the 38.8% contribution factor for 3Q 2026 is an increase of 1.8% from the 37% contribution factor that was used for 2Q 2026. Historical information on quarterly universal service fund contribution factors is available online from the FCC.
For the third quarter of 2026, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) projects $7.221914 billion in total interstate and international end-user telecommunications revenues will be collected (2Q was $7.553337, and 1Q was $7.604471).
USAC estimates that $2.003130 billion is needed to cover the total demand and expenses for all Federal universal service support mechanisms (revenue requirement) in the third quarter of 2026 (2Q was $2.022700, and 1Q was $2.060770). Total third quarter 2026 demand includes projected program support, administrative expenses, and true-ups and adjustments, which breaks out among the USF support mechanisms as follows:
E-Rate Schools & Libraries: $550.73 million (2Q was $641.92 million, and 1Q was $648.93 million)
Rural Health Care: $183.04 million (2Q was $178.84 million, and 1Q was $181.11 million)
High-Cost: $1.07906 billion (2Q was $1.01156 billion, and 1Q was $1.00545 billion)
Lifeline: $190.30 million (2Q was $190.38 million, and 1Q was $225.28 million)
KCC Opens Docket For K.S.A. 66-2005(c) RLEC Adjustments To Access Rates
June 11, 2026 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC or Commission) has opened a general investigation docket on rural local exchange carriers’ (RLECs) intrastate switched access rate, revenue, and Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) support adjustments pursuant to K.S.A. 66-2005(c) and the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) access reforms. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-GIMT-0461-GIT.
All RLECs must file in Docket 26-GIMT-0461-GIT a completed Attachment 1 by August 7, 2026. All RLECs also must e-mail a Microsoft Excel version of Attachment 1 to KCC Staff by the same date (attention Steve Garrett: steve.garrett@ks.gov, and Hemant Bhagat: hemant.bhagat@ks.gov). An electronic copy of Attachment 1 can be downloaded from from the Commission’s website. RLECs do not need to serve Attachment 1 on any other party – only file it in Docket 26-GIMT-0461-GIT and provide a copy to KCC Staff by the required due date. Any RLEC with its own non-National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) interstate tariff is directed to provide a copy of or link to its July 1, 2026, interstate tariff to KCC Staff concurrent with filing Attachment 1 in Docket 26-GIMT-0461-GIT. The following procedural schedule has been adopted for the proceeding:
RLECs file Attachment 1 and interstate tariff in Docket, submit Excel copy to Staff by no later than August 7, 2026;
Staff shall submit their R&R by no later than September 11, 2026;
The responses to the R&R shall be due no later than September 25, 2026;
The Commission order shall be issued no later than November 5, 2026, with new rates being effective July 1, 2027.
Advantage Telecommunications, Corp. To Relinquish Certificate Of Authority As Reseller Of Telecommunications Services In Kansas
June 11, 2026 – Advantage Telecommunications, Corp. has filed a letter with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) notifying the KCC that the company wishes to relinquish its Certificate of Convenience and Authority (COC) to transact the business of a reseller of telecommunications services throughout the state of Kansas. Advantage was granted a COC in 1999 in Docket 00-ATEC-168-COC. In its letter, Advantage states that it “no longer provides telecommunication services throughout the state of Kansas,” and its “last Kansas customer canceled service in June 2025; therefore no customers will be affected by this withdrawal.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-ATEC-0483-CCS.
Telrite Corporation To Discontinue Long Distance Service Effective Immediately In Kansas
June 11, 2026 – Telrite Corporation has filed a letter with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) which notifies the KCC of Telrite’s “intention to discontinue long distance service effective immediately in the state of Kansas.” The company was certified to provide long distance telecommunications services in Kansas in KCC Docket 03-RITC-1052-COC in 2003. In its letter, Telrite explains that its “request for withdrawal of Telrite’s long distance service is based on business reasons; Telrite has no long distance customers in Kansas.” It also states that its “notice does not affect any other licenses or authorizations issued to Telrite by the Commission.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-RITC-0484-CCS.
Wheat State Telephone Company Makes Minor Revisions To General Exchange Tariff
June 11, 2026 – Wheat State Telephone Company, Inc. d/b/a Wheat State Technologies has filed revisions to its General Exchange Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Wheat State’s filing makes minor revisions to its tariff which “include correcting typographical errors and revising the definition of a calling feature in order to more accurately describe the feature.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-WHST-0485-TAR.
Golden Belt Telephone Requests Waiver Of KCC Rule Requiring Paper Notices Of Service Suspension Or Disconnection
June 10, 2026 – Golden Belt Telephone Association, Inc. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting a waiver of certain provisions of the KCC’s telecommunications billing practice standards related to notices of service suspension or disconnection. The billing practice standards were approved by the KCC in 2010 and reflect the technology and industry norms of that time. In its application, Golden Belt requests a waiver of Section IV.D.(1) and (2) of the billing practice standards which require telecom providers to send paper notices of service suspension or disconnection to subscribers using U.S. mail. Golden Belt wants to be able to send notices of suspension or disconnection of service electronically. The company currently sends monthly bills to many customers using email. Golden Belt states that its cost “to process and mail the paper disconnect notices for the 2025 calendar year was $3,954.72.” It further explains that granting the waiver request will eliminate that cost and it will result in customers receiving the notices much faster. Golden Belt notes that the KCC has previously granted similar waivers from the requirements in Section IV.D.(1) and (2) of the telecommunications billing practice standards (Docket No. 11-RRLT-188-MIS, Docket No. 15-MRGT-110-MIS, Docket No. 25-HVDT-204-MIS, and Docket No. 25-RNBT-212-MIS). The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-GNBT-0482-MIS.
U.S. Conference Of Mayors Passes Resolution Opposing Federal Preemption Of Local Regulation Of Broadband Networks
June 7, 2026 – During its annual meeting, the United States Conference of Mayors has passed a “resolution expressing strong opposition to federal preemption of local authority for the benefit of the telecommunications industry.” The Mayors’ resolution opposes passage of the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 (H.R.2289) which is awaiting a full vote of the U.S. House of Representatives. The resolution also opposes two Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proceedings concerning preemption of onerous local broadband permitting rules: Build America: Eliminating Barriers to Wireless Deployments (WT Docket Number 25-276), and Eliminating Barriers to Wireline Deployments (WC Docket Number 25-253).
Long Distance Consolidated Billing Co. To Cancel IXC Certificate Of Authority
June 5, 2026 – Long Distance Consolidated Billing Co. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting that the KCC cancel the company’s Certification of Convenience and Authority to provide interexchange (IXC) services in Kansas. Long Distance Consolidated Billing Co. was granted IXC authority by the KCC in 1996 (Docket No. 97-LCBC-235-COC). In its application, the company states that it “closed all operations” on June 1, 2024. It further states that it “no longer has any customers in Kansas since June 1, 2024 and has no intention of acquiring any new customers as the company is out of business.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-LCBC-0481-CCS.
Formal Complaint Filed Against Brightspeed For Poor To Nonexistent Landline Service
June 4, 2026 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC or Commission) has determined that a formal complaint that was filed against Brightspeed complies with the procedural requirements to establish a prima facie case for Commission action. The complaint was filed on May 26, 2026, by Milton Ammel (the Complainant), and alleges poor to nonexistent service for a landline at the Complainant’s residence in Linn County. The Complainant states that he contacted Brightspeed about the poor service issues to no avail and that the service issues could prevent his ability to contact emergency services. As a result of the KCC’s order establishing a prima facie case, the formal complaint will be served upon Brightspeed for an answer within 10 days of service. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-UTDT-0409-COM.
New Kansas Corporation Commission Telecom Dockets Opened In June 2026
26-UTDT-0409-COM – Complaint Against Brightspeed by Milton Ammel on behalf of Donna Ammel.
26-GIMT-0461-GIT – General Investigation Into the Adjustment of Intrastate Switched Access Charges for Rural Telephone Companies in Compliance with K.S.A. 66-2005(e) and Federal Communications Commission Reforms.
26-LCBC-0481-CCS – Application of Long Distance Consolidated Billing Co. to Cancel its Certification of Convenience and Authority Granted in KCC Docket No. 97-LCBC-235-COC to Transact the Business of an Interexchange Service Provider in the State of Kansas.
26-GNBT-0482-MIS – Application of Golden Belt Telephone Association, Inc. for a Waiver of Certain Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards.
26-WHST-0485-TAR – Application of Wheat State Telephone Company to Correct Typographical Errors and Redefine a Calling Feature.
26-RITC-0484-CCS – Application of Telrite Corporation’s Request to Discontinue Long Distance Service.
26-ATEC-0483-CCS – Application of Advantage Telecommunications, Corp.’s Request to Relinquish Authority as a Reseller of Telecommunications Services.
26-VCTC-0522-SHO – General Investigation of Voicecom Telecommunications, LLC. 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-GODT-0523-SHO – General Investigation of GoDaddy.com, LLC. 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.
