Kansas Broadband News
Kansas Corporation Commission | Kansas Telecom News
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.
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.