Kansas Broadband News

Kansas Corporation Commission | Kansas Telecom News

Rural Telephone Service Company Files Tariff Revisions

January 17, 2025 – Rural Telephone Service Company, Inc., dba Nex-Tech has filed revisions to its local exchange tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Nex-Tech’s filing removes certain charges and revises the pricing of various services offered under the tariff. Nex-Tech states that the revisions’ annual impact on regulatory revenue is approximately $7,377. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-RRLT-282-TAR.

Moundridge Telephone Company Revises General Exchange Tariff

January 17, 2025 – Moundridge Telephone Company has filed revisions to its General Exchange Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). The revisions implement changes to the rates for various services. Moundridge states that the revisions’ annual impact on regulatory revenue “is approximately $2,469.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-MRGT-281-TAR.

Kansas Office of Broadband Development Releases Update On BEAD Applications

January 15, 2025 – The Kansas Office of Broadband Development has released the following information on the applications it has received for Broadband Equity Access & Deployment (BEAD) program funding:

  • Applications Received: 200

  • Total Applicants: 23 Organizations

  • Total Funding Requested: $673 Million

  • Available BEAD Funding: $451.7 Million

  • Total Cost Of Proposed BEAD Projects: $943 Million

  • Applicants’ Total Proposed Matching Funds: $270 Million

  • Total Coverage Of Proposed Projects: 96%

  • Total Locations Covered By Proposed BEAD Projects: 50,209

  • Total BEAD-Eligible Locations: 52,343

Pro Forma Transfer Of Control & Name Change Application Filed For Consolidated Communications of Kansas & Missouri

January 13, 2025 – Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc. (CCHI), Consolidated Communications of Kansas Company (Consolidated-Kansas), Consolidated Communications of Missouri Company (Consolidated-Missouri), and Fidium Fiber Finance Holdco LLC (Fidium Finance) have submitted a Joint Application to the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). The applicants are seeking KCC approval of: (1) a pro forma transfer of control of Consolidated-Missouri and Consolidated-Kansas (the Kansas Operating Entities), and (2) changes to the legal names resulting from the re-domestication and conversion the Kansas Operating Entities to be Delaware limited liability companies. The applicants have requested the KCC grant the application no later than March 31, 2024.

As explained in the application, the Kansas Operating Entities became indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Condor Holdings, LLC in December 2024. Condor is now undertaking a series of internal restructuring and other internal corporate changes, which involve, among other things, “changes in the intermediate holding company structure of the Kansas Operating Entities and the conversion of the Kansas Operating Entities to Delaware limited liability companies, with corresponding name changes.” The Kansas Operating Entities will become direct, wholly owned subsidiaries of Fidium Finance, and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Fidium Fiber Holdco LLC and other intermediate holding companies that are directly, wholly owned by Condor. As a result of the Kansas Operating Entities re-domesticating and converting to Delaware limited liability companies, their legal names will be: (1) Consolidated Communications of Kansas Company, LLC, and (2) Consolidated Communications of Missouri Company, LLC. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-CCHT-279-CCN.

Blue Valley Tele-Communications Revises General Exchange Tariff

January 13, 2025 – Blue Valley Tele-Communications, Inc. has filed revisions to its General Exchange Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Blue Valley’s filing revises “bundle services rates to reflect the upcoming March 1, 2025 local rate change and pricing changes to non-regulated services.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-BLVT-274-TAR.

Elkhart Telephone Company Revises Tariff – Bundled Service Rates

January 13, 2025 – Elkhart Telephone Company has filed revisions to its General Exchange Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Elkhart Telephone’s filing revises “bundle services rates to reflect the upcoming March 1, 2025 local rate change.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-ELKT-273-TAR.

Brightspeed Companies of Kansas Revises Local Exchange Tariff To Increase Monthly Rates For All Business Flat Access Lines And Certain Residential And Business Key Trunks

January 8, 2025 – Brightspeed Companies of Kansas has filed revisions to its Local Exchange Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-UTDT-271-TAR. Brightspeed Companies of Kansas explains the tariff revisions as follows:

This filing increases monthly rates for all business flat rate access lines and certain residential and business Key Trunks. These increases comply with HB 2131 changes to 66-2005(q)(1)(F) effective July 1, 2016, and are within the change permitted by the increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers. In addition, the monthly rate for Metroplus will be decreased for residence and business services. Included as Attachment A, please find the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers in 2023 and 2024. Attachment B is information supporting the business access line rate changes proposed in this filing. The changes are guided by the change in the Consumer Price Index as noted in Attachment A. Attachment C includes a copy of the customer notification. In compliance with existing rules, we make this filing on at least thirty days’ advance notification and anticipate a February 5, 2025 effective date.

Kansas Voice Service Providers Must Comply With New FCC Robocall Mitigation Database Filing Requirements & Procedures

January 8, 2025 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved a Report And Order containing new Robocall Mitigation Database filing requirements and procedures. Below is a summary of the new requirements:

  • All entities are required to update any information submitted to CORES within 10 business days of any change to that information.

  • The Report And Order establishes a base forfeiture of $10,000 for each violation for filers that submit false or inaccurate information to the Robocall Mitigation Database, and establishes a base forfeiture of $1,000 for failure to update information that has changed in the Robocall Mitigation Database within 10 business days.

  • The Report And Order directs the Wireline Competition Bureau to establish a dedicated reporting mechanism that will allow stakeholders to notify the FCC of deficient Robocall Mitigation Database filings.

  • To assist filers with their robocall mitigation compliance obligations, the Report And Order directs the Wireline Competition Bureau to issue additional guidance, educational materials, and “best practices” for filing in the Robocall Mitigation Database.

  • In the Report And Order, the FCC concludes that Robocall Mitigation Database filings are “applications” within the meaning of Section 8 of the Communications Act, and therefore adopts an application fee for initial submissions, and annually thereafter. The FCC has set a $100 application processing fee for initial Robocall Mitigation Database submissions and for annual certifications.

  • To better secure the Robocall Mitigation Database, the Report And Order directs the Wireline Competition Bureau and OMD to develop a two-factor (or more) authentication solution for accessing the database.

The Robocall Mitigation Database was established by the FCC in 2021. All voice service providers and intermediate providers – entities that neither originate nor terminate voice traffic – must file a certification in the Robocall Mitigation Database which shows their level of STIR/SHAKEN implementation, describes their robocall mitigation plans, and provides additional identifying information that the FCC can use to monitor compliance with anti-robocall rules.

Blue Valley Tele-Communications Revises Tariff To Account For No Longer Providing Printed Telephone Directories And Other Changes

January 8, 2025 – Blue Valley Tele-Communications, Inc. has filed revisions to its General Exchange Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Blue Valley’s filing revises tariff language related to no longer providing a printed telephone directory, removes services which are no longer provided, and updates two CLASS features rates. In its filing, Blue Valley states that “[t]here is no ($0.00) revenue effect as a result of these changes and no customers are impacted.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-BLVT-270-TAR.

Nex-Tech Wireless Acquiring Spectrum License From US Cellular

January 7, 2025 – Kansas mobile wireless provider Nex-Tech Wireless, LLC is acquiring a lower 700 MHz band spectrum license from United States Cellular Corporation (US Cellular). The license – CMA 435 – covers Dickinson, Ellsworth, Marion, McPherson, Rice, and Saline counties in Kansas. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. US Cellular began exiting the wireless market last year. In May 2024, US Cellular announced it had entered into an agreement to sell T-Mobile US, Inc. most of the company’s wireless operations for approximately $4.4 billion. In November 2024, US Cellular agreed to sell spectrum licenses that were not part of the T-Mobile deal to AT&T for roughly $1.02 billion.

New Kansas Corporation Commission Telecom Dockets Opened In January 2025

  • 25-RRLT-282-TAR – Rural Telephone Service Company, Inc. Filing Tariff Revisions to Update Removal of Video Services Bundled Pricing and Internet Bundled Pricing, Remove EAS Additional Charge, Increased Residential and Business Rates and Other Modifications to its Tariff.

  • 25-MRGT-281-TAR – Moundridge Telephone Company, Inc. Application for Tariff Revisions for Sheets 4 and 5, Section 3, Sheet 1 thru 14.

  • 25-ELKT-273-TAR – Elkhart Telephone Company Filing Revision to its Bundles Tariff Changes.

  • 25-CCHT-279-CCN – Joint Application of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., Fidium Fiber Finance Holdco LLC, Consolidated Communications of Kansas Company, and Consolidated Communications of Missouri Company for Approval of (1) a Pro Forma Transfer of Control of Consolidated Communications of Kansas Company and Consolidated Communications of Missouri Company to Fidium Fiber Finance Holdco LLC and (2) Name Changes of Consolidated Communications of Kansas Company and Consolidated Communications of Missouri Company to Reflect a Re-Domestication and Corporate Conversion.

  • 25-BLVT-274-TAR – Blue Valley Tele-Communication Filing Tariff in Revisions in Section 2, 4 Sheet 14 and Section 2, 8 Sheet 15.

  • 25-UTDT-271-TAR – Brightspeed Companies of Kansas Filing Tariff Revisions to Increase Monthly Rates for all Business Flat Access Lines and Certain Residential and Business Key Trunks.

  • 25-BLVT-270-TAR – Blue Valley Tele-Communication Filing Tariff Revisions to No Longer Provide a Printed Telephone Directory and Remove Services Which No Longer Provided.

December 2024

KCC Business Meeting Consent Agenda – Telecommunications Items – December 31st

December 30, 2024 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is expected to approve the following telecommunications items, included on a consent agenda, during the KCC’s business meeting on Tuesday December 23, 2024 at 10:00 am:

Order Assessing Costs – KCC Docket No. 25-SNKT-249-TAR – Application of Southern Kansas Telephone Filing Tariff Revisions to No Longer Provide a Printed Telephone Directory and Remove Services Which No Longer Provided.

Order Assessing Costs – KCC Docket No. 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.

Order Approving Traffic Factors for New Cingular Wireless, LLC, d/b/a AT&TR Mobility and Crickett Wireless, LLC – Docket No. 24-GIMT-229-GIT – Investigation to Determine the Annual Assessment Rate for the Twenty-Eighth Year of the Kansas Universal Service Fund, Effective March 1, 2024.

Suspension Order: August 18, 2025 – KCC Docket No. 25-SNKT-249-TAR – Application of Southern Kansas Telephone Filing Tariff Revisions to No Longer Provide a Printed Telephone Directory and Remove Services Which No Longer Provided.

Order Adopting Audit Report and Closing Docket – KCC Docket No. 25-SWBT-098-KSF – Audit of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, LLC by the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) Administrator Pursuant to K.S.A. 66-2010(b) for KUSF Operating Year 27, Fiscal Year March 2023-February 2024.

Order Adopting Audit Report – KCC Docket No. 25-ORIZ-099-KSF – Audit of Kansas #15 Limited Partnership by the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) Administrator Pursuant to K.S.A. 66-2010(b) for KUSF Operating Year 27, Fiscal Year March 2023-February 2024.

Order Approving Revised Tariff – KCC Docket No. 25-WHST-230-TAR – Wheat State Technologies Filing Tariffs Revisions to Remove a Service No Longer Provided and Change some Non-Recurring Charges.

Order Cancelling Evidentiary Hearing – KCC Docket No. 25-GIMT-141-GIT – Investigation to Determine the Affordable Local Service Rates for Rate-of-Return Regulated Carriers and the Annual Assessment Rate for the Twenty-Ninth Year of the Kansas Universal Service Fund, Effective March 1, 2025.

All items consent agenda (proposed orders dealing with routine, procedural, administrative, or uncontested matters) on the are considered to be routine by the KCC, and will be considered together as a single item. However, any KCC Commissioner may request that a proposed order be removed from consideration at a meeting. KCC business meetings are accessible via the KCC YouTube channel link on the KCC website at http://kcc.ks.gov/.

Twin Valley Telephone Revises Tariff To Account For No Longer Providing Printed Telephone Directories

December 30, 2024 – Twin Valley Telephone has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) to revise “tariff language related to no longer providing a printed telephone directory and also removing services which are no longer provided.” Twin Valley states that its requested tariff revisions will have no impact on revenue. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-TWVT-259-TAR.

Air Voice Wireless, LLC Seeking Designation As Lifeline-Only ETC In Kansas

Air Voice is proposing to offer Lifeline supported service throughout the State of Kansas, as illustrated in the following coverage map for Air Voice’s underlying carrier, AT&T (Application, Exhibit A).

December 23, 2024 – Air Voice Wireless, LLC has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting designation as Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) for the purpose of receiving only federal Lifeline universal service support. Air Voice Wireless is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that provides commercial mobile radio service and mobile broadband services by reselling the services and connectivity of an underlying wireless carrier. The company is seeking ETC status in the areas of Kansas where its underlying facilities-based wireless carrier, AT&T Wireless, has wireless coverage. Air Voice is a Texas limited liability company, and has been designated as a Lifeline-Only ETC in Alaska, Arkansas, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming; as well as in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-AVWZ-250-ETC.

Southern Kansas Telephone Revises Tariff Language To Account For No Longer Providing Printed Telephone Directories

December 20, 2024 – Southern Kansas Telephone has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) to revise “tariff language related to no longer providing a printed telephone directory and removing services which are no longer provided.” Southern Kansas Telephone states that there is no revenue effect as a result of the changes. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-SNKT-249-TAR.

FCC Releases 2025 Reasonable Comparability Benchmarks For Fixed Voice And Broadband  Services

December 13, 2024 – The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau and the Office of Economics and Analytics have announced the 2025 reasonable comparability benchmarks for fixed voice and broadband services for eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) that receive universal service support and are subject to broadband public interest obligations.

Voice Rates – The reasonable comparability benchmark for voice services is $55.55. This is two standard deviations above the 2025 urban average monthly rate of $30.67. Each ETC providing fixed voice services must certify in its FCC Form 481 that the pricing of its basic residential voice services is no more than $55.55.

Broadband Rates – The reasonable comparability broadband benchmark varies, depending upon the supported service’s download and upload bandwidths and usage allowance. To facilitate benchmark calculations, the Office of Economics and Analytics will post an Excel file with a tool in which providers can enter the relevant variables to determine the benchmark for specific service characteristics.

Minimum Usage Allowance – For rate-of-return carriers receiving model-based support, the Bureau adopts a minimum monthly usage allowance of 720 GB for 2025. For carriers receiving support from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), the minimum usage allowance is either (i) the greater of 250 GB or the average usage calculated by the Bureau for the Minimum and Baseline tiers, or (ii) 2 Terabytes (TB) for the Above-Baseline and Gigabit tiers. For ETCs not subject to the 2 TB minimum usage allowance, the reasonable minimum monthly usage allowance for 2025 is 720 GB.

Another New Record! Federal USF Contribution Factor For First Quarter Of 2025 – 36.3 Percent

December 12, 2024 – The FCC’s Office of Managing Director (OMD) has announced that the proposed universal service fund (USF) contribution factor for the first quarter of 2025 will be 36.3 percent. If the FCC takes no action on the proposed USF contribution factor within 14 days, it will be declared approved.

The 36.3 percent contribution factor for 1Q 2025 sets a new record, beating the previous all-time high of 35.8 percent during 4Q 2024. There has now been an increase to the USF contribution factor for three consecutive quarters (2Q 2024 – 32.8%; 3Q 2024 – 34.4%; 4Q 2024 – 35.8%; 1Q 2025 – 36.3%). Historical information on quarterly universal service fund contribution factors is available online from the FCC.

For the first quarter of 2025, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) projects $8.176992 billion in total interstate and international end-user telecommunications revenues will be collected ($7.972750 billion in collections were projected for 4Q 2024). USAC estimates that $2.161100 billion is needed to cover the total demand and expenses for all Federal universal service support mechanisms (revenue requirement) in the first quarter of 2025 (the 4Q 2024 demand was estimated at $2.084640 billion). Total first quarter 2025 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:  $657.15 million (4Q 2024 was $666.28 million)

  • Rural Health Care:  $129.50 million (4Q 2024 was $150.05 million)

  • High-Cost:  $1.08640 billion (4Q 2024 was $1.06994 billion)

  • Lifeline:  $288.05 million (4Q 2024 was $198.37 million)

Assurance Wireless Request Expansion Of ETC Designation For All Areas Where It has Wireless Coverage In Kansas

December 6, 2024 – Assurance Wireless USA, L.P. has filed an application requesting the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) expand its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designated service area for Lifeline only services in Kansas. Additionally, Assurance Wireless is seeking eligibility to receive funding from the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) for service to eligible low-income consumers throughout the company’s designated service areas in Kansas. Assurance Wireless (formerly Virgin Mobile USA, L.P.) was previously designated an ETC by the KCC in November 2011. In its application, Assurance Wireless requests expansion of its designated ETC service area to allow it to provide Lifeline services to eligible low-income households anywhere it currently has wireless coverage in Kansas. The company is a Lifeline-only ETC, and is not seeking designation to receive high-cost universal service fund support. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-VMBZ-235-ETC.

FCC Chair Circulates Declaratory Ruling On CALEA Cybersecurity Requirements & NPRM On Cybersecurity Risk Management Plans

December 5, 2024 – Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has circulated to her fellow commissioners a draft Declaratory Ruling that if adopted, would declare that Section 105 of Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) affirmatively requires telecommunications carriers to secure their networks from unlawful access or interception of communications. Accompanying the Declaratory Ruling is a Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that seeks comment on implementing an annual certification requirement for communications service providers to create, update, and implement cybersecurity risk management plans and annual certify compliance with these plans to the FCC. The NPRM also requests public comment on expanding cybersecurity requirements across a range of communications providers, and identifying additional ways to enhance cybersecurity defenses for communications systems. According to the FCC, both items are an effort to address vulnerabilities in U.S. telecommunications networks that were exposed following the Salt Typhoon cyberattack, a sophisticated intrusion linked to foreign state-sponsored actors.

Wheat State Technologies Files Tariff Revisions

December 4, 2024 – 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 tariff revisions remove a service that is no longer provided, and changes some non-recurring charges. Wheat State explains that the revenue effect as a result of the changes is de minimus – $25 annually. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-WHST-230-TAR.

Kansas Governor Announces ADOPT Program Round 2 Will Open On December 12, 2024

December 3, 2024 – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has announced that the application window for the second round of the Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology (ADOPT) program will open on December 12, 2024. The second round of the ADOPT program will provide $10.7 million to organizations working to expand access to public wi-fi and connected devices. The Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) will administer the ADOPT program, and have provided the following details on the two funding categories:

  • Equipment Distribution: the maximum individual award is $500,000 and requires 2% match and 1% co-investment

  • Public Wi-Fi: the maximum individual award is capped at $1 million and requires 5% match and 2% co-investment

Additional information on program details, eligibility, applications, funding, and timing are available on KOBD’s ADOPT program website. KOBD will host a webinar at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 11th, to discuss funding priorities and application guidelines. Interested parties can register for the webinar here.

KanOkla Files Tariff Revisions Related To Printed Telephone Directories

December 2, 2024 – KanOkla Telephone Association has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting revisions to its general exchange tariff to implement the KCC’s discontinuance of the directive to annually distribute a printed telephone directory. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-KOKT-227-TAR. Specifically, KanOkla’s revisions include the following:

The Company will in January of each year make available upon request to any subscriber a copy of the directory. Subscribers may request a copy of the directory in person at the Company premises. Subscribers may also access the directory on the Company’s website.

November 2024

Moundridge Telephone Company Files Application For Kansas Universal Service Fund Support

November 22, 2024 – Moundridge Telephone Company has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting support from the For Kansas Universal Service Fund. Moundridge operates under traditional rate of return regulation, has been designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier, and serves as the carrier of last resort within its service area. The test year requested for evaluation of the application is the year ending December 31, 2023. Based on its revenue requirement, allocated federal support, and projected intrastate revenue, Moundridge is seeking a total of $1,311,826 in annual KUSF support. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-MRGT-222-KSF.

Kansas BEAD Application Window Extended To December 20th

November 18, 2024 – The Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) has announced that the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program application deadline has been extended to December 20, 2024. KOBD opened the BEAD application portal on October 21, and will now close it at noon on December 20th. Applicants can access the application portal online. Under the BEAD program, Kansas is expected to award $451.7 million for projects that deploy high-speed internet to unserved locations (no internet access or access under 25/3 Mbps) and to underserved locations (access at speeds under 100/20 Mbps). KOBD previously announced there are 403 project areas containing 52,343 BEAD-eligible locations. BEAD applications will be scored on their cost-effectiveness, consumer affordability, fair labor practices, technology, speed to deployment, and community engagement.  

ANPI, LLC Files Application For Certification Of Convenience And Authority To Provide Interexchange Service In Kansas

November 18, 2024 – ANPI, LLC has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting a Certification of Convenience and Authority to provide interexchange telecommunications services on a resold basis in Kansas. ANPI is a Delaware limited liability company that “has been in business for over 10 years providing unique telecommunications products and services to business customers on a nationwide basis.” The company intends to offer a wide array of telecommunications products and services on a resold basis to business customers only. ANPI currently provides service as a registered CLEC, IXC, and VoIP provider in 39 states. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-ANPC-218-COC.

President-Elect Trump Names Brendan Carr Next FCC Chair

November 17, 2024 – President-elect Donald Trump has announced he will nominate current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr to be the FCC’s next chairman. Commissioner Carr was appointed to one of the Republican seats on the FCC by Trump in 2017. In an X post online, Carr provided the following response to the news: “Thank you, President Trump! I am humbled and honored to serve as Chairman of the FCC. Now we get to work.” Commissioner Carr’s official FCC bio states that he has worked in communications and tech policy for nearly 20 years. He has held other positions at the FCC, including legal advisor and the agency’s general counsel. Commissioner Carr has previously laid out his priorities as FCC Chairman: The FCC needs to change course and bring new urgency to achieving four main goals: (1) Reining in Big Tech, (2) Promoting National Security, (3) Unleashing Economic Prosperity, and (4) Ensuring FCC Accountability and Good Governance.

KCC Penalizes AT&T LLC For Eight Violations Of Kansas Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act

November 14, 2024 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has issued a notice of penalty assessment for violations of the Kansas Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act (KUUDPA) and pipeline safety regulations in the amount of $8,000 against AT&T LLC. The $8,000 total civil penalty assessed against AT&T LLC equates to a $1,000 fine for each of the eight violations of the KUUDPA. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-DPAX-195-PEN. The KCC’s Utilities Division’s Report And Recommendation provides the following summary of the KCC’s investigation and the facts that led to the decision:

AT&T is an Operator of Tier 1 facilities as defined in K.S.A. 66-1802. Operators of Tier 1 facilities must inform excavators of the tolerance zone of the underground facilities by marking, flagging, or other acceptable method per K.S.A. 66-1806. Operators of Tier 1 facilities have two working days before the excavation scheduled start date assigned by the notification center to inform excavators of the location of their facilities per K.A.R. 82-14-3(f).

Staff performed an investigation and reviewed non-response tickets from April 1, 2024 thru May 22, 2024 for AT&T in a given region. Non-response tickets are initiated by excavators when a member utility or operator fails to respond to a requested utility locate within the allotted time as specified above. Staff identified 10 non-response tickets and issued a NPN to AT&T on May 23, 2024. The NPN alleged that AT&T did not inform the excavator of the tolerance zone for its underground facilities within the required time frame which is a violation of KUUDPA.

AT&T responded to each of the ten alleged non-responses on June 18, 2024, refer to Attachment A. For eight of the 10 responses, AT&T did not contest Staff’s allegations of non-compliance. AT&T contested two of the violations arguing they either provided locates within the allotted time or cleared the excavator as there were no buried utilities within the locate area. Staff recommends the Commission penalize AT&T for each of the eight violations which were not contested.

Wheat State Revises Tariff To Account For Elimination Of Printed Telephone Directories

November 13, 2024 – 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). The purpose of the filing is to revise tariff language related to no longer providing a printed telephone directory. According to the revised tariff language, Wheat State will no longer provide printed telephone directories, but will provide, upon request and without charge, a list of the telephone numbers applicable for the exchange area in which a customer resides. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-WHST-214-TAR.

Rainbow Telecommunications Requests Waiver Of Certain KCC Billing Practice Standards

November 8, 2024 – Rainbow Telecommunications Association, Inc. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting a waiver of certain requirements in the Kansas telecommunications billing practice standards. Specifically, Rainbow has requested a waiver of the requirement to mail paper notices of suspension or disconnection of service. In most cases, Rainbow will instead email notices of suspension or disconnection of service. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-RNBT-212-MIS.

Light Source Communications, LLC Applies For CLEC Certificate Of Convenience And Authority

November 7, 2024 – Light Source Communications, LLC has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting a Certificate of Convenience and Authority to provide resold and facilities-based local exchange service in Kansas. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-LSCT-209-COC. Light Source, a Michigan limited liability company, is seeking CLEC authority in all exchanges served by incumbent price cap LECs AT&T Kansas and CenturyLink, and all other service territories currently open to competition. In its application, Light Source states that it “will not provide voice services, including switched access,” and therefore “is not providing an intrastate switched access tariff.” In Exhibit A to its application, Light Source provides the following additional details on the services it intends to provide:

Applicant seeks authority to provide facilities-based and resold local exchange and access telecommunications services throughout the state of Kansas. LSC proposes to begin providing telecommunications service in Kansas shortly after it has obtained the Commission certification

Applicant intends to provide high-bandwidth, fiber-based communications networks, and related competitive data services for high-bandwidth customers. Applicant seeks to provide primarily facilities-based Dark Fiber, Private Line and Wavelength Services between multiple customer facilities and key carrier meet-point locations and local data centers. LSC customers consist of large business enterprises, governmental organizations, educational institutions, data centers, and others to best meet their individual needs, providing networks with unmatched security, flexibility, scalability and reliability.

Applicant seeks authority to provide local exchange services in all areas that are currently open, or become open in the future, to competition. Applicant does not intend to provide voice telephone services, however LSC would use existing local exchange boundaries and local calling scope of the incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) in Kansas. LSC concurs with the maps and exchange boundaries filed with the Commission by the ILECs. LSC will perform network and equipment maintenance as necessary to ensure compliance with any quality of service requirements. Applicant will comply with all applicable Commission rules, regulations and standards, and will provide safe, reliable and high quality telecommunications services in Kansas.

Brightspeed Companies of Kansas File Tariff Revisions

November 4, 2024 – Brightspeed Companies of Kansas have filed revisions to its Access Service Tariff with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Specifically, Brightspeed Companies of Kansas are revising language for Shared Use Facilities, which includes grandfathering DS3 Entrance Facilities. Brightspeed has requested an effective date of December 6, 2024 for the tariff revisions. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-UTDT-206-TAR.

Haviland Requests Waiver Of Certain Telecommunications Billing Practice Standards

November 1, 2024 – Haviland Telephone Company, Inc. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting a waiver of certain requirements in the Kansas telecommunications billing practice standards. Specifically, Haviland is requesting a waiver of the rules in Section IV.D.(1) and (2) that require the mailing of a notice of suspension or disconnection of service and the grace period before suspending or disconnecting service. Haviland has requested the KCC grant a waiver that allows Haviland to substitute electronic mailing of notices of suspension or disconnection of service. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-HVDT-204-MIS.

October 2024

Consolidated Communications Of Missouri Files Revisions To Its KCC General Exchange Tariff No. 1

October 17, 2024 – Consolidated Communications of Missouri has filed revisions to its KCC General Exchange Tariff No. 1 with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Consolidated is making the following changes to its tariff: (1) Add Section 16 for Obsolete Services; (2) Delete Home Phone Standard Residential Bundled Service Package as the company no longer has customers on this bundle; (3) Move the following previously grandfathered bundles to Obsolete Services: Voice Advantage Bundles; and (4) Grandfather the Voice Advantage II Basic and 600 Bundles. The company has requested an effective date of November 16, 2024 for the tariff revisions. Included in the filing is a copy of the bill messaging that will be used to notify customers of the changes to Voice Advantage II Basic and 600. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-FCMT-196-TAR.

Windstream Norlight, LLC Requests Cancellation Of Certification Of Convenience And Authority To Transact The Business Of An Interexchange Service Provider And Operator Service Provider In Kansas

October 16, 2024 – Windstream Norlight, LLC has filed a request with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) to cancel its Certification of Convenience and Authority to transact the business of an interexchange service provider and operator service provider in Kansas (previously granted in Docket No. 99-CYTC-543-COC). Windstream Norlight has requested the cancellation because it “no longer has any customers in Kansas and has no intention of acquiring any new customers.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-CNYC-193-CCS.

Windstream Norlight, LLC Requests Cancellation Of Certification Of Convenience And Authority To Provide Switched Local Exchange And Exchange Access Service In Kansas

October 16, 2024 – Windstream Norlight, LLC has filed a request with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) to cancel its Certification of Convenience and Authority to provide switched local exchange and exchange access service in the state of Kansas (previously granted in Docket No. 04-CNYC-583-COC ). Windstream Norlight also has requested the withdrawal of its Competitive Switched Access Tariff No. 2 currently on file with the KCC. Windstream Norlight has requested the cancellation because it “no longer has any customers in Kansas and has no intention of acquiring any new customers.” The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-CNYC-192-CCS.

AT&T Kansas Files Tariff Revision With KCC

October 14, 2024 – Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, LLC d/b/a AT&T Kansas has filed revisions to its Kansas Access Service Tariff. Specifically, AT&T Kansas has requested that the Kansas Corporation Commission approve its filing which revises a page of the company’s Access Service Tariff to reflect that the relevant page and section concurs with the Telephone Company’s FCC Tariff #1, Section 6.8. The filing requests an effective date of October 15, 2024. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-SWBT-186-TAR.

KCC Business Meeting Consent Agenda – Telecommunications Items – October 17th

October 16, 2024 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is expected to approve the following telecommunications items, included on a consent agenda, during the KCC’s business meeting on Thursday October 17, 2024 at 10:00 am:

  • Suspension Order: May 30, 2025 – KCC Docket No. 25-SFLT-180-TAR – to Consolidated Communication of Kansas Company Filing Tariff Revisions to Grandfather Voice Advantage II Basic and 600 Bundles.

  • Order Assessing Costs – KCC Docket No. 25-CNHT-185-KSF – to Application and Request of Cunningham Telephone Co., Inc. for an Increase in its Cost-Based Kansas Universal Service Fund Support.

  • Suspension Order: June 9, 2025 – KCC Docket No. 25-CNHT-185-KSF – to Application and Request of Cunningham Telephone Co., Inc. for an Increase in its Cost-Based Kansas Universal Service Fund Support.

  • Order Designating Presiding Officer; Protective and Discovery Order – KCC Docket No. 25-CNHT-185-KSF – to Application and Request of Cunningham Telephone Co., Inc. for an Increase in its Cost-Based Kansas Universal Service Fund Support.

All items consent agenda (proposed orders dealing with routine, procedural, administrative, or uncontested matters) on the are considered to be routine by the KCC, and will be considered together as a single item. However, any KCC Commissioner may request that a proposed order be removed from consideration at a meeting. KCC business meetings are accessible via the KCC YouTube channel link on the KCC website at http://kcc.ks.gov/.

Cunningham Telephone Company Inc. Requests $1,050,573 Increase To Its Annual KUSF Support

October 11, 2024 – Cunningham Telephone Company Inc. has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting an increase to its annual amount of Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) support. Cunningham operates under rate of return regulation for both the federal and state jurisdictions, and is the carrier of last resort for telecommunications customers within its service area in Kansas. In its application, Cunningham requests a $1,050,573 increase to its annual KUSF draw to address an intrastate revenue deficiency in that amount. For KUSF year 28 (June 2024 - Feb 2025), Cunningham’s pro-rated annual support amount is $718,902. Cunningham has requested that the test year for its application be the year ending December 31, 2023. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-CNHT-185-KSF.

KCC Opens General Investigation On RLEC Intrastate Switched Access Rates, Revenue, And KUSF Support Adjustments

October 10, 2024 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has opened a general investigation proceeding to address rural local exchange carriers’ (RLECs) intrastate switched access rates, revenue, and Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) support adjustments. +Pursuant to K.S.A. 66-2005(c), each RLEC is required to adjust its intrastate switched access rates on March 1 of each odd-numbered year to match its interstate switched access rates. Under K.S.A. 66-2005(c)(l), any reduction of an RLEC’s cost recovery due to reduction of its intrastate access revenue, except such revenue recovered from another support mechanism, shall be recovered from the KUSF. As explained in the KCC telecom staff’s Report and Recommendation, adjustment to an RLEC’s intrastate access revenue and annual KUSF support will be based on the difference between its interstate and intrastate access rates as of July 1, 2024, and the access minutes of use (MOU) for the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2024. To enable the calculation, RLECs must submit the data identified in Attachment 1 to the Report and Recommendation and their interstate tariffs no later than November 18, 2024. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-GIMT-164-GIT.

Haviland Telephone Makes Tariff Revisions Related To Cessation Telephone Directories

October 8, 2024 – Haviland Telephone Co., Inc. has filed tariff revisions with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Haviland’s five proposed tariff revisions are related to the company’s cessation of printed and distributed telephone directories. Haviland states that the tariff revisions will not cause a change in any regulated revenue. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-HVDT-181-TAR.

Consolidated Communication of Kansas Company Files Tariff Revisions – Eliminating & Grandfathering Certain Services

October 2, 2024 – Consolidated Communication of Kansas Company has filed tariff revisions with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Consolidated is making the following changes to its general exchange tariff: (1) adding a new section 7 for obsolete services; (2) moving the following three previously grandfathered bundles to obsolete services – voice advantage bundles, home phone bundles, and small business bundles; and (3) grandfathering its voice advantage II basic and 600 bundles. Consolidated’s filing also includes a copy of the bill message that will be used to notify customers of the changes to voice advantage II basic and 600 bundles, which will be delivered as part of the October 1, 2024, billing cycle. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-SFLT-180-TAR.

Kansas BEAD Application Window Opens October 21st, Closes December 5th

October 1, 2024 – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) have announced that the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program application portal will begin accepting submissions on October 21, 2024, and will close on December 5, 2024. Under the BEAD program, Kansas is expected to award $451.7 million for projects that deploy high-speed internet to unserved locations (no internet access or access under 25/3 Mbps) and to underserved locations (access at speeds under 100/20 Mbps). KOBD has announced there are 403 project areas containing 52,343 BEAD-eligible locations. BEAD applications will be scored on their cost-effectiveness, consumer affordability, fair labor practices, technology, speed to deployment, and community engagement.  

KCC Issues Order To Show Cause Against CoreTel Kansas, Inc.

October 1, 2024 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has issued an Order To Show Cause against CoreTel Kansas, Inc. for failing to comply with KCC orders and Kansas law. Specifically, the Order To Show Cause explains that CoreTel is delinquent with its submission of the 2023 Annual Interrogatory Report to the KCC; has failed to comply with Vantage Point Solutions, the Kansas Universal Service Fund Administrator; and has failed to update its contact information. Consequently, CoreTel has 30 days to show why it should not be subject to sanctions, penalties, and fines, and to show why its CLEC and IXC Certificates of Convenience and Authority should not be canceled, suspended, or revoked. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-CTKT-079-SHO.

September 2024

Mutual Telephone Company Files Application For $452,010 Increase To KUSF Support

September 23, 2024 – Mutual Telephone Company has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting an increase to the amount of annual support it receives from the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF). Mutual is requesting an increase of $452,010 to its annual KUSF draw, which corresponds to an intrastate revenue deficiency in that amount. The test year requested by Mutual in its application is the year ending December 31, 2023. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-MTLT-161-KSF.

KCC Opens KUSF Year 29 Proceeding

September 17, 2024 – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has opened a general investigation proceeding to determine the affordable local service rates for rate-of-return regulated carriers and the annual assessment rate for the Twenty-Ninth Year of the Kansas Universal Service Fund, effective March 1, 2025. KCC telecom staff has preliminarily determined the following affordable rates to be utilized by rural local exchange carriers (RLECs) when making their required data submissions: residential – $19.00 and single-line business – $22.00. RLECs must file their data by October 14, 2024. The procedural schedule sets a deadline of January 31, 2025, for a KCC order adopting KUSF Year 29 rates. The KCC Docket Number for the proceeding is 25-GIMT-141-GIT.