Kansas Broadband News
Congressional USF Working Group Seeking Public Comment On Future Of Universal Service Fund
August 1, 2025 – The Congressional Universal Service Fund (USF) Working Group has invited public input on the future of the USF. The comment portal is open and will close at 11:59 pm eastern on Monday, September 15, 2025. Among other things, the USF Working Group is seeking public input on the current state of the USF, proposals for modernizing the USF, proposals for ensuring reliable support of voice and broadband services into the future, and the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in Federal Communications Commission v. Consumers’ Research.
The bipartisan, bicameral USF Working Group was reorganized in June. Senate members include Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Gary Peters (D-MI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Jackie Rosen (D-NV). House members include Representatives Richard Hudson (R-NC9) Chair of the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and Doris Matsui (D-CA7), Ranking Member of the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee.
All submitted comments will be sent to all Senate and House Member offices of the USF Working Group. Comments that include visual aids, such as charts, tables, or graphics may be sent via email to USFWorkingGroup@fischer.senate.gov.
Brightspeed Companies of Kansas File Revisions To General Exchange Service Tariff (Addition Of List Of Extended Calling Areas In Kansas City Metropolitan Area)
August 1, 2025 – Brightspeed Companies of Kansas have filed revisions to their General Exchange Service Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Brightspeed, a price-cap regulated carrier, is filing its tariff revisions pursuant to K.S.A. 2005(q)(1)(F), which declares the services contained in the tariff filing as price deregulated. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 26-UTDT-046-TAR. Brightspeed summarizes its tariff revisions as follows:
This filing adds a list of the Extended Calling Areas in Kansas City Metropolitan Area for Metro Calling customers subscribed to Brightspeed Voice or Brightspeed Business Voice. This is the same calling scope outlined under MetroPlus located in the Brightspeed Companies of Kansas Local Exchange Tariff.
New Kansas Corporation Commission Telecom Dockets Opened In August 2025
26-UTDT-046-TAR – Application of Brightspeed Companies of Kansas General Exchange Service Tariff.
ETC Tracker: 6 ETC Applications Currently Pending Before The Kansas Corporation Commission
August 1, 2025 – There are currently six eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) applications pending before the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Three applicants are requesting designation as Lifeline-only ETCs, and three applicants are seeking relinquishment of ETC designations. The KCC 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 (Lifeline-Only ETC application filed March 27, 2023) (application amended September 8, 2023)
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 (Lifeline-Only ETC application filed August 9, 2024) (Revised Application filed June 20, 2025).
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 (Lifeline-Only ETC application filed December 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 March 27, 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 12, 2025).
25-SKYT-561-ETC – Skybeam, LLC Application for an Order Confirming Relinquishment of its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation (application filed June 25, 2025).