Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of ) Troy Cablevision, Inc. ) ) Petition for Expanded Eligible ) WC Docket No. 09-197 Telecommunications Carrier Designation ) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund )
PETITION FOR EXPANDED ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER DESIGNATION
Troy Cablevision, Inc. (“Troy Cablevision”) is a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier
(“CLEC”) that provides telecommunications and broadband services in Alabama.1 Troy
Cablevision was granted Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (“ETC”) status in Alabama by the
Alabama Public Service Commission (“APSC”) in 2009.2 Troy Cablevision is an ETC in good standing and has filed its annual ETC certification with the APSC and received annual recertification by the APSC since receiving ETC status in 2009.3 However, the APSC has deferred its jurisdiction for an ETC designation to the Federal Communications Commission
(“Commission”) for the RDOF assigned census blocks that are outside of Troy Cablevision’s current ETC designated area because Troy Cablevision will be providing Voice Over The Internet
(“VOIP”) and broadband services to the RDOF assigned areas.4
1 Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide Intrastate Telecommunications Services for Troy Cablevision, Inc., Alabama Public Service Commission, Report and Order, Docket 29540, February 13, 2005. 2 Order Approving Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation, Alabama Public Service Commission, Docket 29540, February 9, 2009. See Exhibit D. 3 54.314 State Certification Letter 2020, Alabama Public Service Commission, WC Docket No. 14-58, Filed October 1, 2020 (“Recertification Letter”). See Exhibit E. 4 Letter Deferring ETC Jurisdiction, Alabama Public Service Commission, March 3, 2020. See Exhibit F. 1
As a result of the APSC’s deferral of jurisdiction, pursuant to Section 214(e)(6) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (Act), as amended, and Sections 54.201 and 54.202 of the Federal
Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) Rules (Rules), Troy Cablevision makes this petition to the FCC for expanded high-cost and low-income ETC designation in the State of Alabama. Troy
Cablevision has been awarded Auction 904 support for 28 census block groups which consist of
532 census blocks listed in Exhibit A and will receive $10,395,132.00 allocated over 10 years for these locations. The vast majority of Troy Cablevision’s 532 RDOF assigned census blocks are within its current state approved ETC designated area. However, all 5 RDOF assigned census blocks associated with census block group 010690420003 with 21 locations, 1 assigned census block associated with census block group 010690420004, and 2 assigned census blocks associated with census block group 010690417002 are not within its current ETC designated area and another
42 RDOF assigned census blocks overlap the boundaries of its ETC service area with many of these census blocks having locations outside the ETC service area. As a result, Troy Cablevision herein requests the Commission to expand Troy Cablevision’s current ETC service area to include all the RDOF assigned census blocks listed in Exhibit B that are outside the current ETC designated area or overlap the ETC service area as shown in the map included with Exhibit C.
Troy Cablevision will provide high speed broadband and voice services in the areas where support was awarded in Auction 904. Troy Cablevision is required to obtain designation within
180 days of the announcement by the FCC that Troy Cablevision, who was a member of the
Connecting Rural America Consortium, was a winning bidder in the FCC’s RDOF Auction 904.
Thus, Troy Cablevision requests expeditious action by the FCC granting this request by June 1,
2021, so that it may meet this requirement.
2
Troy Cablevision satisfies all the statutory and regulatory requirements for designation as an expanded ETC in the requested designated service area. As explained herein, the public interest would be served by granting this petition.
I. Troy Cablevision Background and Overview
Troy Cablevision started providing cable service to residents in Alabama in 1973. Following a buyout and the expiration of a 3-year non-compete agreement, Troy Cablevision restarted the company to expand cable services to underserved areas in Alabama. In 1993, Troy Cablevision began deploying fiber optic cable and began providing broadband service. Troy Cablevision was granted a Certificate of Operating Authority by the APSC during February 2005 and began providing voice service to customers in Alabama as a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier. In
2009, Troy Cablevision was granted ETC status from the APSC for the entire service area of
BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. dba AT&T; CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC; and Butler
Telephone Company.5 Troy Cablevision participated in the FCC RDOF Auction 904 and was awarded support in the 532 census blocks outlined in Exhibit A. Troy Cablevision now seeks expanded ETC status to serve the 8 census blocks that are not within its current ETC designated area and the 42 other census blocks that overlap the boundary of the service area and with many having locations outside of the ETC service area.
Troy Cablevision will deliver voice and broadband service to homes within its Auction 904 awarded area. Troy Cablevision will use its existing fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network to provide VoIP and broadband services up to 1 Gbps throughout the requested ETC area.
All inquiries concerning this petition should be made to:
5 Order Approving Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation, Alabama Public Service Commission, Docket 29540, February 9, 2009. 3
Steve Gatto Division Manager Vantage Point Solutions 1836 Junction Hwy. Kerrville, TX 78028 830-895-7226 [email protected]
Troy Cablevision, Inc. Jacob T. Cowen General Manager 1006 S. Brundidge St. P.O. Box 1228 Troy, AL 36081-1228 334-566-3310 [email protected]
Upon designation as an ETC in the expanded area, Troy Cablevision will provide the supported services throughout the requested designated service area as build-out is completed and offer
Lifeline to qualified low-income consumers.
II. Legal Authority for Designation of an ETC
Title 47 U.S.C. 214(e)(6) of the Act provides the FCC may designate an ETC where the petitioner “is not subject to the jurisdiction of a state commission.” The APSC has deferred to the
Commission with respect to the ETC Designation since Troy Cablevision will be providing broadband and VoIP to customers in the RDOF assigned areas.6 Further, under Alabama’s
Communications Reform Act, the APSC lacks jurisdiction over specific services, including
“broadband service, broadband enabled service, VoIP services, or information services.”7
Therefore, since Troy Cablevision is an ETC provider in the State of Alabama but the APSC has deferred jurisdiction to the Commission for the RDOF assigned areas, Troy Cablevision seeks to
6 Letter Deferring ETC Jurisdiction, Alabama Public Service Commission, March 3, 2020. 7 Id. 4 expand its ETC service area to include the RDOF assigned areas with this petition to the
Commission.
III. Meets Statutory and Regulatory Prerequisites to be Designated as an ETC Troy Cablevision satisfies each of the statutory and regulatory requirements set forth in the
Act and the FCC’s Rules to be a high-cost and low-income ETC.
A. Troy Cablevision Will Provide Service as a Common Carrier
Troy Cablevision will provide service on a common carrier basis to the expanded ETC Service area. As such, Troy Cablevision certifies that it is a common carrier under 214(e)(1) and 214(e)(6) of the Act.8 Troy Cablevision’s current ETC status confirms that it is a common carrier.
B. Troy Cablevision Will Offer the Services Supported by the Federal Universal Service Support Mechanisms As described below, Troy Cablevision certifies that it will provide the following services that are supported by federal universal service support mechanisms:9
1. Voice Grade Access to the PSTN – Troy Cablevision will meet this requirement
through the provision of VoIP voice communications service that is interconnected
to the PSTN. Troy Cablevision will be legally responsible for dealing with
customer problems, providing quality of service guarantees, and meeting universal
service-related requirements. Troy Cablevision will offer stand-alone voice
telephony service throughout its expanded ETC service area and will offer such
service at rates that are reasonably comparable to urban rates. This service will
include minutes of use for local service provided at no charge to end users and
access to emergency services via 911 or E-911, wherever available from local
8 See Exhibit G (Affidavit of William H. Freeman). 9 Id. 5
government or public safety organizations.10 Troy Cablevision also commits to
provide toll limitation services to qualifying low-income consumers as provided in
Sections 54.400 - 54.423 of the Rules.11
2. Broadband Internet Access Services – Troy Cablevision’s broadband Internet
offering will provide the capability to transmit data to and receive data by wire from
all or substantially all Internet endpoints, including any capabilities that are
incidental to and enable the operation of the communications service. Troy
Cablevision will offer low-latency broadband Internet service at speeds of up to 1
Gbps throughout the expanded ETC service area and will offer such service at rates
that are reasonably comparable to urban rates.12
3. Lifeline Service – Troy Cablevision has been providing Lifeline services since 2009
and will offer Lifeline voice and broadband services to qualifying low-income
consumers in accordance with the FCC’s Rules throughout the expanded ETC
service area.13
Troy Cablevision further commits to provide these services consistent with the FCC’s high- cost and low-income universal service support rules applicable to it.14
C. Troy Cablevision Will Provide Service Using Its Own Facilities
Troy Cablevision will use its existing fiber facilities to expand and deploy new FTTP facilities to provide high-speed broadband Internet access, as well as interconnected VoIP services, to customers and locations in the expanded ETC service area identified in Exhibit A.15 The FTTP
10 47 C.F.R. 54.101(a)(1) and (b). 11 47 C.F.R. 54.101(a)(1). 12 47 C.F.R. 54.101(a)(2). 13 47 C.F.R. 54.405(a), 54.400 et seq. 14 See 47 C.F.R. 54.101 and 54.201. 15 47 C.F.R. 54.201(d)(1). 6 design will utilize Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) technologies and be scalable to reach ever increasing broadband demand in the future. The network has been designed with redundancy and growth capabilities in mind.
D. Troy Cablevision Will Provide the Requisite Supported Services Throughout Its Proposed Expanded ETC Service Area Troy Cablevision commits to providing the supported services throughout the expanded ETC
Service Area, consistent with all applicable requirements.16
E. Troy Cablevision Will Advertise the Availability of Its Services and Charges Using Media of General Distribution Troy Cablevision will advertise the availability of and charges for its supported service offerings using media of general distribution and will undertake outreach initiatives to increase consumer awareness of its service offerings, consistent with all applicable requirements.17 Troy
Cablevision will offer and advertise its broadband and interconnected VoIP services, including those offerings that include all of the supported services, through a combination of media channels, such as radio, newspaper, company newsletters, magazines, and other print advertisements, direct marketing, and/or the Internet. Troy Cablevision will use the appropriate media outlets to advertise its universal service offerings in a manner consistent with applicable requirements.
F. Troy Cablevision Possesses the Financial and Technical Capability to Provide the Supported Services Troy Cablevision possesses the financial and technical capabilities to pay for all start-up capital and operating expenses (e.g., construction, hardware, operations, etc.) to expand its FTTP network and to begin the provision of voice and broadband services throughout its RDOF expanded ETC service area. Troy Cablevision will use cash on hand and its annual Auction 904 annual support to deploy and offer the supported services. Additional construction funding and other financial
16 See 47 C.F.R. 54.101 and 54.201. 17 47 C.F.R. 54.201(d)(2). 7 information has been provided to the FCC as part of Troy Cablevision’ FCC Form 683 application.
Troy Cablevision has been building and operating FTTP networks since 2008 and has seasoned operations and technical staff that have been with the company for years. The same staff will be used for the RDOF expansion.
G. Troy Cablevision Will Meet the Additional Requirements for Designation as an ETC Troy Cablevision further certifies that it will meet all the Commission’s requirements for designation as an ETC under 214(e)(6) of the Act.18
1. Compliance with Applicable Service and Performance Quality Requirements. Troy
Cablevision certifies that it will comply with the service requirements applicable to
the support that it receives, including the requirements for RDOF Phase I support,
and will provide additional information in this regard as part of its FCC Form 683
application, including a certification from a professional engineer that the fiber
optic network is capable of delivering voice and broadband service that meets the
requisite performance requirements and sufficient capacity to meet customer
demand at or above the prescribed levels during peak usage periods.19
2. Ability to Remain Functional in Emergency Situations. Troy Cablevision certifies
that its fiber optic network will have the ability to remain functional in emergency
situations, will have a reasonable amount of back-up power to ensure functionality
without an external power source, will be able to reroute traffic around damaged
18 See Winning Bidders Notice, n. 71 (extending the waivers of Rules section 54.202 to Auction 904 winners); WCB Reminds Connect America Fund Phase II Applicants of the Process for Obtaining Federal Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier, Public Notice, WC Docket No. 09-197 et al., 33 FCC Rcd 6696 (WCB 2018) (waiving the FCC requirement for a winning bidder to file a five-year plan (47 C.F.R. 54.202(a)(1)(ii)) and to demonstrate it will satisfy applicable consumer protection and service quality standings (47 C.F.R. 54.202(a)(3))). See also, Exhibit G, Freeman Affidavit. 19 47 C.F.R. 54.805. 8
facilities and will be capable of managing traffic spikes resulting from emergency
situations.20 Troy Cablevision’ fiber optic network will support telephone service
using Session Initiation Protocol-based VoIP technology and will support all phone
features, including 911 services.
IV. Annual Reporting Requirements
Troy Cablevision will comply with all annual certifications and annual reporting requirements for designated ETCs as applicable.21 Troy Cablevision is an ETC in good standing with the APSC, has filed its annual certification annually with the APSC and has been recertified each year since its initial ETC designation in 2009.22
IV. Anti-Drug Abuse Certification
Troy Cablevision certifies that no party to this petition is subject to denial of federal benefits, including FCC benefits, pursuant to 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988.
V. Grant of This Petition Will Serve the Public Interest
Designation of Troy Cablevision as an ETC in the expanded area will clearly serve the public interest by allowing Troy Cablevision to fulfill the FCC’s goal of bringing low latency, gigabit- speed broadband services to the expanded ETC Service Area, as well as voice and broadband services to households that qualify for federal Lifeline benefits throughout the expanded ETC service area. Troy Cablevision’ participation will “encourage the deployment on a reasonable and timely basis of advanced telecommunications capability to all Americans ….,”23 and will further the Commission’s objective of ensuring that federal universal service support, which includes that of Auction 904, is used efficiently and effectively.
20 See 47 C.F.R. 54.202(a)(2). 21 47 C.F.R. 54.416, 47 C.F.R. 54.422; See also, Exhibit G, Freeman Affidavit. 22 Recertification Letter. 23 47 U.S.C. 1302(a). 9
Exhibit A
RDOF Assigned Census Blocks
11
Exhibit A - Troy Cablevision, Inc. RDOF Assigned Census Blocks
Census Block State Census Block Group
010310101002010 AL 010310101002 010310101002011 AL 010310101002 010310101002020 AL 010310101002 010310101002022 AL 010310101002 010310101002025 AL 010310101002 010310101002029 AL 010310101002 010310101002030 AL 010310101002 010310101002032 AL 010310101002 010310101002033 AL 010310101002 010310101002034 AL 010310101002 010310101002035 AL 010310101002 010310101002036 AL 010310101002 010310101002038 AL 010310101002 010310101002041 AL 010310101002 010310101002042 AL 010310101002 010310101002046 AL 010310101002 010310101002047 AL 010310101002 010310101002053 AL 010310101002 010310101002054 AL 010310101002 010310101002060 AL 010310101002 010310101002063 AL 010310101002 010310101002076 AL 010310101002 010310101002079 AL 010310101002 010310101002081 AL 010310101002 010310102001004 AL 010310102001 010310102001005 AL 010310102001 010310102001013 AL 010310102001 010310102001014 AL 010310102001 010310102001024 AL 010310102001 010310102001030 AL 010310102001 010310102001050 AL 010310102001 010310102001051 AL 010310102001 010310102001052 AL 010310102001 010310102001053 AL 010310102001 010310102001054 AL 010310102001 010310102001059 AL 010310102001 010310102002009 AL 010310102002 010310102002011 AL 010310102002 010310102002015 AL 010310102002 010310102002019 AL 010310102002 010310102002020 AL 010310102002 010310102002021 AL 010310102002 010310102002030 AL 010310102002 010310102002038 AL 010310102002 010310102002047 AL 010310102002 010310102002049 AL 010310102002 010310102002052 AL 010310102002 010310102002053 AL 010310102002 010310102002054 AL 010310102002 010310102002055 AL 010310102002 010310102002072 AL 010310102002 010310102002074 AL 010310102002 010310103001000 AL 010310103001 010310103001001 AL 010310103001 010310103001013 AL 010310103001 010310103001023 AL 010310103001 010310103001024 AL 010310103001 010310103001025 AL 010310103001 010310103001086 AL 010310103001 010310103001088 AL 010310103001 010310103001089 AL 010310103001 010310103001090 AL 010310103001 010310103001091 AL 010310103001 010310103001106 AL 010310103001 010310103001132 AL 010310103001 010310103001133 AL 010310103001 010310103001135 AL 010310103001 010310103001138 AL 010310103001 010310103001139 AL 010310103001 010310103001164 AL 010310103001 010310103001288 AL 010310103001 010310103001303 AL 010310103001 010310103001305 AL 010310103001 010419636001002 AL 010419636001 010419636001003 AL 010419636001 010419636001007 AL 010419636001 010419636001010 AL 010419636001 010419636001011 AL 010419636001 010419636001012 AL 010419636001 010419636001014 AL 010419636001 010419636001016 AL 010419636001 010419636001018 AL 010419636001 010419636001025 AL 010419636001 010419636001026 AL 010419636001 010419636001027 AL 010419636001 010419636001031 AL 010419636001 010419636001033 AL 010419636001 010419636001034 AL 010419636001 010419636001035 AL 010419636001 010419636001036 AL 010419636001 010419636001038 AL 010419636001 010419636001039 AL 010419636001 010419636001040 AL 010419636001 010419636001041 AL 010419636001 010419636001043 AL 010419636001 010419636001044 AL 010419636001 010419636001045 AL 010419636001 010419636001048 AL 010419636001 010419636001050 AL 010419636001 010419636001053 AL 010419636001 010419637001000 AL 010419637001 010419637001004 AL 010419637001 010419637001011 AL 010419637001 010419637001023 AL 010419637001 010419637001024 AL 010419637001 010419637001025 AL 010419637001 010419637001026 AL 010419637001 010419637001027 AL 010419637001 010419637001033 AL 010419637001 010690415002010 AL 010690415002 010690415002015 AL 010690415002 010690416001002 AL 010690416001 010690416001004 AL 010690416001 010690416001005 AL 010690416001 010690416001009 AL 010690416001 010690416001011 AL 010690416001 010690416001015 AL 010690416001 010690416001027 AL 010690416001 010690416001040 AL 010690416001 010690416001056 AL 010690416001 010690416001058 AL 010690416001 010690416001075 AL 010690416001 010690416001078 AL 010690416001 010690416001082 AL 010690416001 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011010056041021 AL 011010056041 011010056041023 AL 011010056041 011010056041024 AL 011010056041 011010056041025 AL 011010056041 011010056041030 AL 011010056041 011010056041032 AL 011010056041 011010056041033 AL 011010056041 011010056041035 AL 011010056041 011010056041036 AL 011010056041 011010056041045 AL 011010056041 011010056041048 AL 011010056041 011010056041049 AL 011010056041 011010056041050 AL 011010056041 011010056041055 AL 011010056041 011010056041059 AL 011010056041 011010056041060 AL 011010056041 011010056041067 AL 011010056041 011010056041070 AL 011010056041 011010056041073 AL 011010056041 011010056041077 AL 011010056041 011010056041078 AL 011010056041 011010056041080 AL 011010056041 011010056041081 AL 011010056041 011010056041082 AL 011010056041 011010056042000 AL 011010056042 011010056042002 AL 011010056042 011010056042003 AL 011010056042 011010056042006 AL 011010056042 011010056042007 AL 011010056042 011010056042008 AL 011010056042 011010056042012 AL 011010056042 011010056042013 AL 011010056042 011010056042018 AL 011010056042 011010056042028 AL 011010056042 011010056042029 AL 011010056042 011010056042030 AL 011010056042 011010056042034 AL 011010056042 011010056042045 AL 011010056042 011010056042046 AL 011010056042 011010056042049 AL 011010056042 011010056042058 AL 011010056042 011010056042059 AL 011010056042 011010056042060 AL 011010056042 011010056042061 AL 011010056042 011010056042062 AL 011010056042 011010057001000 AL 011010057001 011010057001004 AL 011010057001 011010057001005 AL 011010057001 011010057001007 AL 011010057001 011010057001037 AL 011010057001 011010057001039 AL 011010057001 011010057001047 AL 011010057001 011010057001048 AL 011010057001 011010057001049 AL 011010057001 011010057001065 AL 011010057001 011010057001066 AL 011010057001 011010057001084 AL 011010057001 011010057002033 AL 011010057002 011010057002045 AL 011010057002 011010057002046 AL 011010057002 011091886001000 AL 011091886001 011091886001005 AL 011091886001 011091886001006 AL 011091886001 011091886001011 AL 011091886001 011091886001029 AL 011091886001 011091886001032 AL 011091886001 011091886001051 AL 011091886001 011091886001052 AL 011091886001 011091886001055 AL 011091886001 011091886001058 AL 011091886001 011091886001063 AL 011091886001 011091886001070 AL 011091886001 011091886001071 AL 011091886001 011091886001077 AL 011091886001 011091886001092 AL 011091886001 011091886001093 AL 011091886001 011091886001096 AL 011091886001 011091886001097 AL 011091886001 011091886001098 AL 011091886001 011091886001099 AL 011091886001 011091886001100 AL 011091886001 011091886001101 AL 011091886001 011091886001104 AL 011091886001 011091886001105 AL 011091886001 011091886001106 AL 011091886001 011091886001107 AL 011091886001 011091886001108 AL 011091886001 011091886001110 AL 011091886001 011091886001111 AL 011091886001 011091886001112 AL 011091886001 011091886001114 AL 011091886001 011091886001115 AL 011091886001 011091886001116 AL 011091886001 011091886001117 AL 011091886001 011091886001118 AL 011091886001 011091886001122 AL 011091886001 011091886001124 AL 011091886001 011091886001125 AL 011091886001 011091886001126 AL 011091886001 011091886001128 AL 011091886001 011091886001130 AL 011091886001 011091886001133 AL 011091886001 011091886001135 AL 011091886001 011091886001136 AL 011091886001 011091886001138 AL 011091886001 011091886001139 AL 011091886001 011091886001141 AL 011091886001 011091886001143 AL 011091886001 011091886001144 AL 011091886001 011091886001154 AL 011091886001 011091886001181 AL 011091886001 011091886001187 AL 011091886001 011091886001188 AL 011091886001 011091886002003 AL 011091886002 011091886002004 AL 011091886002 011091886002008 AL 011091886002 011091886002010 AL 011091886002 011091886002032 AL 011091886002 011091886002035 AL 011091886002 011091886002036 AL 011091886002 011091886002039 AL 011091886002 011091886002040 AL 011091886002 011091886002041 AL 011091886002 011091886002042 AL 011091886002 011091886002043 AL 011091886002 011091886002045 AL 011091886002 011091886002046 AL 011091886002 011091886002047 AL 011091886002 011091886002048 AL 011091886002 011091886002049 AL 011091886002 011091886002055 AL 011091886002 011091886002056 AL 011091886002 011091886002084 AL 011091886002 011091886002086 AL 011091886002 011091886002088 AL 011091886002 011091887001009 AL 011091887001 011091887001010 AL 011091887001 011091887001013 AL 011091887001 011091887001047 AL 011091887001 011091887001049 AL 011091887001 011091887001051 AL 011091887001 011091887001054 AL 011091887001 011091887001056 AL 011091887001 011091887001058 AL 011091887001 011091887001060 AL 011091887001 011091887001061 AL 011091887001 011091887001062 AL 011091887001 011091887001094 AL 011091887001 011091887001098 AL 011091887001 011091887001102 AL 011091887001 011091887001106 AL 011091887001 011091887001109 AL 011091887001 011091887001110 AL 011091887001 011091887001112 AL 011091887001 011091887001113 AL 011091887001 011091887001115 AL 011091887001 011091887001116 AL 011091887001 011091887001122 AL 011091887001 011091887001123 AL 011091887001 011091887001135 AL 011091887001 011091887001137 AL 011091887001 011091887001194 AL 011091887001 011091887001212 AL 011091887001 011091888001000 AL 011091888001 011091888001016 AL 011091888001 011091888001021 AL 011091888001 011091888001022 AL 011091888001 011091888001024 AL 011091888001 011091888001026 AL 011091888001 011091888001027 AL 011091888001 011091888001028 AL 011091888001 011091888001029 AL 011091888001 011091888001031 AL 011091888001 011091888001032 AL 011091888001 011091888001034 AL 011091888001 011091888001043 AL 011091888001 011091888001045 AL 011091888001 011091888001047 AL 011091888001 011091888001048 AL 011091888001 011091888001049 AL 011091888001 011091888001050 AL 011091888001 011091888001053 AL 011091888001 011091888001059 AL 011091888001 011091888001061 AL 011091888001 011091888001062 AL 011091888001 011091888001063 AL 011091888001 011091888001073 AL 011091888001 011091888001075 AL 011091888001 011091888001076 AL 011091888001 011091888001080 AL 011091888001 011091888001081 AL 011091888001 011091888001082 AL 011091888001 011091888001084 AL 011091888001 011091888001085 AL 011091888001 011091888001089 AL 011091888001 011091888001090 AL 011091888001 011091888001091 AL 011091888001 011091888001092 AL 011091888001 011091888001106 AL 011091888001 011091888001112 AL 011091888001 011091888001114 AL 011091888001 011091888001115 AL 011091888001 011091888001116 AL 011091888001 011091888001120 AL 011091888001 011091891001022 AL 011091891001 011091891001023 AL 011091891001 011091892002007 AL 011091892002 011091892002022 AL 011091892002 011091892002025 AL 011091892002 011091892002026 AL 011091892002 011091892002027 AL 011091892002 011091892002033 AL 011091892002 011091892002035 AL 011091892002 011091892002049 AL 011091892002 011091892002050 AL 011091892002 011091892002052 AL 011091892002 011091892002056 AL 011091892002 011091892002060 AL 011091892002 011091892002073 AL 011091892002 011091892002074 AL 011091892002 011091892002076 AL 011091892002 011091892002079 AL 011091892002 011091892002081 AL 011091892002 011091893001009 AL 011091893001 011091893001010 AL 011091893001 011091893001051 AL 011091893001 011091893001052 AL 011091893001 011091893001053 AL 011091893001 011091893001056 AL 011091893001 011091893001057 AL 011091893001 011091893001060 AL 011091893001 011091893001061 AL 011091893001 011091893003004 AL 011091893003 011091893003006 AL 011091893003 011091893003012 AL 011091893003 011091893003013 AL 011091893003 011091893003061 AL 011091893003 011091893003066 AL 011091893003 011091893003078 AL 011091893003 011091893003082 AL 011091893003 011091893003083 AL 011091893003 011091893003086 AL 011091893003 011091893003087 AL 011091893003 011091893003089 AL 011091893003 011091893004036 AL 011091893004 011091893004037 AL 011091893004 011091893004038 AL 011091893004 011091893004040 AL 011091893004 011091893004041 AL 011091893004 011091893004042 AL 011091893004 011091893004043 AL 011091893004 011091893004055 AL 011091893004 011091893004061 AL 011091893004
Exhibit B
Proposed Census Blocks For Expanded ETC Designation Order
12
Exhibit B - Troy Cablevision, Inc. Census Blocks for Proposed Expanded ETC Designation
Assigned Census Blocks State Census Block Groups 010690420003042 AL 010690420003 Outside Current ETC Area 010690420003049 AL 010690420003 Outside Current ETC Area 010690420003031 AL 010690420003 Outside Current ETC Area 010690420003032 AL 010690420003 Outside Current ETC Area 010690420003011 AL 010690420003 Outside Current ETC Area
010690420004064 AL 010690420004 Overlaps Current ETC Area 010690420004065 AL 010690420004 Overlaps Current ETC Area 010690420004066 AL 010690420004 Overlaps Current ETC Area 010690420004067 AL 010690420004 Overlaps Current ETC Area 010690420004068 AL 010690420004 Overlaps Current ETC Area 010690420004070 AL 010690420004 Overlaps Current ETC Area 010690420004073 AL 010690420004 Outside Current ETC Area 010690420004074 AL 010690420004 Overlaps Current ETC Area
010690420001003 AL 010690420001 Overlaps Current ETC Area 010690420001009 AL 010690420001 Overlaps Current ETC Area 010690420001010 AL 010690420001 Overlaps Current ETC Area
010690417002046 AL 010690417002 Overlaps Current ETC Area 010690417002047 AL 010690417002 Overlaps Current ETC Area 010690417002050 AL 010690417002 Overlaps Current ETC Area 010690417002071 AL 010690417002 Overlaps Current ETC Area 010690417002078 AL 010690417002 Overlaps Current ETC Area 010690417002081 AL 010690417002 Outside Current ETC Area 010690417002083 AL 010690417002 Outside Current ETC Area
011091892002022 AL 011091892002 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011091892002025 AL 011091892002 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011091892002026 AL 011091892002 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011091892002033 AL 011091892002 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011091892002049 AL 011091892002 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011091892002050 AL 011091892002 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011091892002056 AL 011091892002 Overlaps Current ETC Area
011091893003012 AL 011091893003 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011091893003022 AL 011091893003 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011091893003086 AL 011091893003 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011091893003089 AL 011091893003 Overlaps Current ETC Area
011091893004055 AL 011091893004 Overlaps Current ETC Area
011091888001016 AL 011091888001 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011091888001021 AL 011091888001 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011091888001024 AL 011091888001 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011091888001026 AL 011091888001 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011091888001112 AL 011091888001 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011091888001120 AL 011091888001 Overlaps Current ETC Area
011091887001010 AL 011091887001 Overlaps Current ETC Area
011010057001005 AL 011010057001 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011010057001007 AL 011010057001 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011010057001037 AL 011010057001 Overlaps Current ETC Area 011010057001047 AL 011010057001 Overlaps Current ETC Area
011010056042002 AL 011010056042 Overlaps Current ETC Area
010690421001059 AL 010690421001 Overlaps Current ETC Area 010690421001069 AL 010690421001 Overlaps Current ETC Area
010310101002022 AL 010310101002 Overlaps Current ETC Area
Exhibit C
Map Of Proposed Expanded ETC Designated Area For RDOF Assigned Census Blocks
13
CBG 010690420001
CBG 010690420004
CBG 010690420003
CBG 010690420003 CBG 010690421001 .
Map 1 Legend
Green - RDOF Assigned Census Block Group Red – Census Blocks Tan – ETC Boundary Blue Line – CBG with CB Outside ETC Boundary Yellow Line – CBG with CB Overlapping ETC Boundary
Showing Awarded Census Block Groups 010690420003 and 010690420004 (with 1 of its Census Blocks) outside the ETC Boundary with no overlap
Also shows Census Block Groups 010690420001, 010690420004 and 010690421001 overlapping the ETC Boundary CBG 010690417002
Map 2 Legend
Green - RDOF Assigned Census Block Group Red – Census Blocks Tan – ETC Boundary Blue Line – CBG with CB Outside ETC Boundary Yellow Line – CBG with CB Overlapping ETC Boundary
Showing Census Block Group 010690417002 with 2 Census Blocks outside the ETC Boundary
Also shows Census Block Group 010690417002 with Census Blocks overlapping the ETC Boundary
CBG 011091893003
CBG 011091892002
CBG 011091893004
CBG 010310101002
Map 3 Legend
Green - RDOF Assigned Census Block Group Red – Census Blocks Tan, Brown, and Blue – ETC Boundaries Yellow Line – CBG with CB Overlapping ETC Boundary
Showing Census Block Groups 011091892002, 011091893003, and 011091893004 overlapping the ETC Boundary
CBG 011091887001
CBG 011091888001
Map 4 Legend
Green - RDOF Assigned Census Block Group Red – Census Blocks Tan. Brown, and Blue – ETC Boundaries Yellow Line – CBG with CB Overlapping ETC Boundary
Showing Census Block Groups 011091888001 and 011091887001 overlapping the ETC Boundary
CBG 011010056042
CBG 011010057001
Map 5 Legend
Green - RDOF Assigned Census Block Group Red – Census Blocks Blue – ETC Boundary Yellow Line – CBG with CB Overlapping ETC Boundary
Showing Census Block Groups 011010057001 and 011091887001 overlapping the ETC Boundary
Exhibit D
State ETC Designation Order
14
STATE OF ALABAMA ALABAMA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION I P.O. BOX304260 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36130-4260 ( LUCY BAXLEY, PRESIDENT WALTER L. THOMAS, JR. JAN COOK, ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER SECRETARY SUSAN 0. PARKER, PHD, ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER TROY CABLEVISION, INC., PETITION: For designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier. Petitioner DOCKET 29540 ORDER APPROVING ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER DESIGNATION BY THE COMMISSION: By Petition filed on or about November 26, 2008, Troy Cablevision, Inc. (“TROY”), 1006 South Brundidge Street (Post Office Box 1228), Troy, Alabama 36081, sought designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (‘ETC”) for purposes of receiving federal universal service funding for the provision of high cost and low income services for the entire service territory of BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc., d/b/a AT&T Alabama: CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC; and Butler Telephone Company. Notice of TROY’s pending petition was published by the Commission on December 3, 2008. Said notice informed interested parties of their opportunity to submit comments in response to the Petition of TROY on or before January 6, 2009. The Commission did not receive any comments regarding TROY’s petition. As required by 47 U.S.C. §214(e), TROY has represented to the satisfaction of the Commission that it: (1) is a common carrier that will offer the services supported by the federal Universal Service support mechanisms pursuant to §254(c) of the Telecom Act of 1996 throughout the service area for which it seeks ETC designation: (2) will offer such services using a combination of its own facilities and the resale of another carrier’s services; and (3) will advertise the availability of such services and the charges therefore using media of general distribution. TROY further represented that it will expend any and all Universal Service funding received only for the provision, maintenance and upgrading of facilities and services for which Universal Service support is intended. DOCKET 29540 - #2
Given the foregoing representations of TROY, the Commission finds that the public interest will be served by designating Troy Cablevision, Inc. as an eligible telecommunications carrier for the purpose of providing high cost and low income services in the areas of Alabama within the service territory of BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc., d/b/a AT&T Alabama; CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC; and Butler Telephone Company. The Commission further certifies that TROY will expend any federal high-cost Universal Service support received exclusively for the provision of Lifeline and Link-up services to eligible requesting customers according to parameters established for such services by the Federal Communications Commission, the Universal Service Administrative Company and this Commission. TROY shall only utilize any high cost universal service funds it receives in 2009 in a manner consistent with §254(e) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. TROY shall further be required to file a plan for the expenditure of all 2010 universal service high cost funds TROY is eligible to receive on or before May 1, 2009. IT IS SO ORDERED BY THE COMMISSION. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED BY THE COMMISSION, That jurisdiction in this cause is hereby retained for the issuance of any further order or orders as this Commission may find just and reasonable in the premises. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, That this Order shall be effective as of the date hereof. DONE at Montgomery, Alabama, this day of February, 2009. ALABAMA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION Lucy Baxley, President )k, Commissioner Parker, Commissioner
ATTEST: A True
Exhibit E
54.314 State Certification Letter 2020
15
Accepted / Filed
OCT 0 1 2020 Sample 54.314(a) State Certification Letter Fedmal Communications Commission Olfice of the Secretary 2020 Submission Date: 9 601,020
Submit to the FCC at the follo„ing address:
Marlene H. Dortc h. Secretary Federal Communications Commission Office of the
Secretary 9050 Junction Drive Atinapolis Junction. MD 20701
Delivery via hand or messenger will be accepted between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. only
Submit to IJSAC at the following address:
USAC
Vice President High Cost DRAion 70012th Street, NW, Suite 900 Washington, DC 20005
Re: CC Docket No. 96-45/ WC Docket No. 14-58. Annual State Certification of Support for Eligible Telecommunications Carriers Pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 54.314
Pursuant to the requirements of 47 C, F.R, § 54.314. the ALL- 156 |ie- SeU,e, G.,kIame of state commissionl hereby certifies to the Federal Communications Commission and the Universal Service Administrative Company that the telecommunication carriers included in this letter are eligible to receive federal high- cost support for the program years cited.
The Al•LAM, 113 a Iname of state commission\ certifies for the carriers listed all federal high-cost support provided to carriers within Ala L..,4 [State namel was used in the preceding calendar year (2019) and will be used in the coming calendar year (2021) only for the provision. maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and sen·ices for which the support is intended." 1
Company Name Studv Area Code 3* APP k., A x• 41,1-,21.2 Dal. c-*3 A
Signature of forpokate Offiefr, U.3jft 06_
Title
Contact Phone Number
'47 C.F.R §54.314(b) (··Carriers not subiext ti, State iunsdiction. An eligible telecommunications Gamer not sublcrt to thejurisdaction of a State that des,res to receive support pursuant to the high-cost program must tile an annual cert] fcation with the Administrator and the Commission stating that all Ederal hlgh-cost support provided to such earlier was used in the preceding calendar year and will be used in the coming calendar year only br the prousion. maintenance. and upgrading of Icilities and sen ices E,r which the support is intended. Suppon provided pursuant to the high-cost program shall only be provided to the extent that the carrier has iled the requisite certication pursuant to this section.'). Accepted / Filed
OCT 01 2020 2 F'&4 STATE OF ALABAMA ALABAMA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION Federal Communications Commission Office of the Secretary lt. 1.fllit. 2/ P.O. Box 304260 \0 '4 4 \01 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36130-4260
TWINKLE ANDRESS CAVANAUGH, PRESIDENT JOHN A GARNER. ExECUT,vE DIRECTOR JEREMY H ODEN. ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER
CHRIS "CHIP- BEEKER, JR, ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER
DOCKET 25980
IN RE: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION OF CARRIERS IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT RECEIVING FEDERAL UNIVERSAL OF 1996, SECTION 254 AND 47 C.F.R § SERVICE FL!>ID HIGH COST 54.314 SUPPORT FOR 2021
FURTHER REPORT AND ORDER
BY THE COMMISSION:
I. Introduction and Background
By Order entered in this cause on September 27, 2018. Eligible Telecommunications
Carriers (-ETCs") in Alabama. that are subject to the Alabama Public Service Commission's
("Commission") jurisdiction. were ordered to file their proposals for utilization of projected 2021
federal high-cost uni,·ersal service support (the "2021 high-cost support") by no later than July 10,
2020. The Commission's Order afforded interested parties the latitude to submit comments in
response to those filings no later than July 24,2020. with any reply comments due on or before
July 31.2020.
The Federal Communication Commission ('FCC') price cap carriers indicate their plan
and intent is to make broadband available to eligible living units in the census blocks identified
by the FCC pursuant to requirements and benchmarks. The price cap carriers in Alabama are: Docket 25980. Page 2
1. CenturyTel of Alabama. LLC drbla CenturyLink (Southern). CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC d/b/a CenturyLink (Northern) and Gulf Telephone Company LLC d/b/a CenturyLink (collectively "CenturyLink"); 2. BeliSouth Telecommunications LLC d/b/a AT&:T Alabama ('AT&:T"); 3. Windstream Alabama. LLC ("Windstream"): 4. Consolidated Communications of Florida Company ("Consolidated") 5. Frontier Communications of Alabama. LLC. Frontier Communications o f Lamar County, LLC and Frontier Communications of the South, LLC (collectively "Frontier").
The Alabama price cap carrier certifications are attached in Appendix "B".
Beginning with the FCC's November 18, 2011, Connect America Fund (-CAF") Order, the FCC made significant changes to federal universal service support, primarily by redirecting the funds from the support of voice service in rural high-cost areas to the support of broadband capable networks in specific unserved or underserved areas. 1 This transition has taken place in stages. with different implementation schedules for price-cap and rate-of-return carriers. As part of the Transformation Order,2 the FCC also created uniform annual compliance and reporting rules for all FCC high-cost support recipients. For price cap carriers, the transition has culminated in the offer and acceptance of Connect America Phase II ("CAF II") funding.3 Under CAF II, the
FCC made specific statewide funding offers to each carrier for the deployment of broadband networks capable of at least 10 Mbps download/1 Mbps upload broadband speed in certain eligible areas in each state.4 With the acceptance of the CAF II state-level commitment in 2015, the
1 Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Connect America Fund, A National Broadband Plan for Our Future; Establishing Just and Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers, High-Cost Universal Service Support·, Developing an Unified Intercarrier Compensation Regime: Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Sen'ice: Lifeline and Link-@.· Universal Sen·ice Reform -Mobilio, Fund, WCDocket Nos. 10-90,07-135.05-337,03-109: GN Docket No. 09-51; CC Docket Nos. 01-92, 96-45; WT Docket No. 10-208; and FCC 1 1 -161, rel. Nov. 18, 2011 (the "Connect America Fund Order" or C.AF-ICC Order").
USE/ICC Tran.*rmation and Rule Clargication and Correction Order. WCDocket Nos. 10-90, 12-63; CCDocket No. 01-92; DA-13-564, rel. Mar. 27,2013 ("the Transition Order").
3 Order In the Matter of Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90, rel. May 16,2013 (the "CAF II Order").
4 ETCs receiving CAF U dollars continue to have the obligation to provide voice service in areas where they receive the CAF II support. Docket 25980. Page 3
previous federal high-cost funding (CAF I frozen support) ceased for price cap carriers in
Alabama. The public interest obligations. annual reporting requirements and compliance and recordkeeping requirements associated with CAF 11 support are detailed in the FCC CAF Il Orders and codified in Part 54 of the FCC's rules. Specifically. for CAF 11. the compliance requirements focus on vear-end location milestones beginning in 2017, within which carriers must have enabled
10/1 Mbps broadband speeds to a specified number of locations (i.e., 40% of the locations by end- of-year 2017.60% by 2018.80% by 2019. and 100% by 20205). The FCC adopted these detailed reporting mechanisms for filings with the FCC. Universal Service Administrative Company
("USAC") and state commissions to facilitate regulatory oversight and to ensure that the requirements for using the funds are met.
In the February 7,2020 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, Connect America Fund Report and Order, the FCC directed its Wireline Competition Bureau "to determine and implement a mechanism that will enable these [CAF Il model-based] price cap carriers to elect whether to
"6 receive an additional seventh year of support. Each price cap carrier listed in Appendix B accepted the offers made to them for 2021.
Inthe April 2014 Connect America Order/FNPRM: the'FCC proposeda voluntary election by rate-of-return (ROR") ETCs to receive model-based support in lieu o f the existing (legacy) high-cost support mechanisms. On August 3. 2016, the FCC announced the offer of high-cost support and deployment obligations for each ROR ETC in a state based on the final version of the
Alternative Connect America Cost Model ("A-CAM"). The A-CAM is a voluntary path under
5 In addition. the rules allow for shortfalls in locations in 2020 to be remedied in 2021.
6 See Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, Connect America Fund, WC Docket Nos. 19-126. 10-90. Report and Order. FCC 20-5.9 127 (2020).
1 Connect America Fund et at., Omnibus Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. WC Docket 'Nos. 10- 90,14-58.07-135: WT Docket No. 10-208; CC Docket No. 01-92; and FCC 14-54. rel. Apr. 23. 2014,
L Docket 25980, P age 4
which rate-o f-return carriers may elect model-based support for a term of 10 years in exchange for meeting defined build-out obligations: In its September 27,2016 Order, the Commission required that ROR carriers electing to receive high-cost support pursuant to the A-CAM report their election to the Commission's Utility Services Division ("USD") of their final acceptance of such funding.
Millry Telephone Company ("Millry"): Brindlee Mountain Telephone, LLC, Blountsville
Telephone. LLC. Otelco Telephone, LLC, Hopper Telephone. LLC, (collectively "Otelco");
Butler Telephone Company, Peoples Telephone Company, Oakman Telephone Company
(collectively "TDS"); National Telephone Company, Roanoke Telephone Company (collectively
"TEC") informed the Commission's USD of acceptance to receive A-CAM funding. The remaining ROR carriers are subject to the existing (legacy) ROR support and mechanism reforms and receive Broadband Loop Support ("BLS").' The FCC ROR carriers in Alabama certifications are attached in Appendix "C"
The non-incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (Hayneville Fiber Transport, Inc. and Troy
Cablevision. Inc.) continue to receive frozen high cost support. Carriers will continue to receive high cost support in an amount equal to its CAF Phase I support until the first month that the winner of any competitive bidding process receives support under CAF II. lI The FCC non- incumbent Local Exchange Carriers receiving high-cost support in Alabama certifications are attached in Appendix "D"
On various dates in 2020, all Alabama ETCs identified individually in Appendix "A" hereto submitted certifications regarding their planned utilization of2021 high-cost support.
8 Connect America Fund et al.,WC Docket No. 10-90 et al„ Report and Order et al., para. 4 (2016) (March 20/6 Connect America Order and/or FNPR10. 'Connect America Fund et al.. WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Report and Order et at.. para. 80 (2016) (March 20l6 Connect America Order and/or FNPRMI. 10 Connect America Fundetal., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al.. Report and Order et at., para. 187 (2014) (June2016) Connect America Order and/or FNPRM). Docket 25980, Page 5
II. Centur,·Link's Planned ttilization of 2021 High-Cost Support
On August 27.2015. CenturyLink notified the Commission that it had accepted the FCC's offer of funding to enable access to broadband service for the combined 48,865 locations in
Alabama of CenturyTel of Alabama. LLC and Gulf Telephone Company LLC.
Subsequent to its acceptance of CAF 11 funding, CenturyLink, by filing dated July 1,2019. submitted a proposal for utilizing its projected 2021 high-cost support.
Ill. AT&T 's Planned Utili,ation of 2021 High-Cost Support
On August 27,2015. AT&T acknowledged acceptance of CAF Il support and acceptance ofthe terms and requirements associated therewith. By filing dated July 12. 2019, AT&T indicated its intent to deploy broadband service. as defined by the FCC. to the extent that is available to more than the eligible 66,766 living within its Alabama sen·ice territory. This will be accomplished primarily, i f not completely, via a fixed wireless platform.
AT&T Alabama agrees to spend its current accepted 2021 CAF II support amounts consistent with the FCC' s CAF Il requirements and its statutory obligation to "use fund support only for the provision, maintenance and upgrading o f facilities and services for which the support is intended. 11"
Ii'. U indstreani Alabania, LLC Planned Utilization of 2021 High-Cost Support
Windstream Alabama. LLC ("Windstream") Alabama, accepted CAF II funding on August
5, 2015. Windstream's certification was filed with the Commission on June 24,2020, with an affidavit certifying its compliance with. and eligibility under. the FCC rules applicable to USF high-cost support. Additionally, Windstream pledged to utilize CAF Il support for the expressed
" 47 U.S.C.§ 254(e). Docket 25980, Page 6
purpose of providing broadband availability, as defined by the FCC. to 1,889 eligible units within its service territory by year-end 2020. Windstream will utilize the CAF I[ seventh year support in
2021 for investment and expenses that may include extension of fiber. deployment and maintenance ofbroadband capable equipment and enabling ofbroadband service in CAF Il eligible
areas.
\,1. Consolidated Communications of Florida Company Planned Utilization of 2021 High-Cost Support
Consolidated Communications of Florida Company ("Consolidated") accepted CAF II funding on August 18.2015. On July 19,2019, it filed a certification of its compliance with, and eligibility under, the FCC rules applicable to USF high-cost support and stated that it plans to continue to utilize its CAF II support with the goal of providing broadband availability, as defined by the FCC, to 960 eligible locations within its service territory. On July 20,2020. Consolidated filed an affidavit stating that it will continue to use the high cost funding pursuant to the FCC rules and regulations. Consolidated will utilize the CAF II support in 2021 for investment and expenses that may include extension of fiber, deployment and maintenance ofbroadband capable equipment and enabling of broadband service in CAF II by December 31,2021.
VII. The Frontier Companies Planned Utilization of 2021 High-Cost Support
Frontier Communications of Alabama. LLC, Frontier Communications of Lamar County,
LLC and Frontier Communications ofthe South. LLC (collectively "Frontier") accepted CAF II funding on June 15,2015. On May 7, 2019, Frontier filed a certification of its compliance with. and eligibility under, the FCC rules applicable to USF high-cost support and stated that it plans to continue utilizing its CAF Il support to meet or exceed the objective of providing broadband service. as defined by the FCC. to 4,425 locations by year-end 2020. On May 14,2020 Frontier Docket 25980, Page 7
filed certification that it will continue to use the high cost funding pursuant to the FCC rules and regulations. Frontier will utilize the CAF II seventh year support in 2021 for investment and expenses that may include extension of fiber, deployment and maintenance of broadband capable equipment and enabling of broadband service in CAF II eligible areas.
W'III. Staff findings
The FCC has implemented extensive reporting requirements for recipients of the CAF Il.
ROR A-CAM, ROR legacy, and non-incumbent local exchange carrier funds. These requirements include the annual submission of detailed information on the FCC Form 481. including an Outage
Report; Unfilled Requests for Service; Complaints per 1000 Connections; Certifications; Current
Price Offerings: Company Identification: Tribal Outreach: Areas with No Terrestrial Backhaul (if applicable); and Additional Voice Rate Data. Further, ETCs receiving high cost funding are required to report quarterly/annually to USAC the specific location and deployment obligation obtained. Further, the Commission's USD, in years prior to 2018, has received the reporting requirements from the ETCs receiving high-cost funding. By order released Jul>· 7,2017. under
WC Docket No. 10-90 and WC Docket No. 14-58 ("2017 FCC Order"), the FCC streamlined the annual reporting requirements for ETC's that receive high-cost universal sen ice support by eliminating the requirement that ETC's submit a duplicate copy of the FCC Form 481 filing to state commissions contingent upon USAC providing the capability for state commissions to access the documentation via an online, electronic portal. Based on this, the Commission issued an order in this docket to amend its October 25.2017 Order to remove the requirement that ETC's submit a duplicate copy of their FCC Form 481 to the Commission's USD effective beginning with the July annual filing deadline and applicable annual FCC Form 481 filings thereafter. Staff believes the Commission will be able to adequately assess high-cost ETC's compliance with the Docket 25980, Page 8
requirements based on a review of its federal reports. as well as location and deployment obligations data submitted to the FCC and USAC. Staff can follow up to address any questions or concerns through data requests or meetings with the company. Subject to these reporting and disclosure requirements, the Commission approves the high cost ETC's 2021 high-cost proposals.
IX. Discussion and Conclusions
We hereby approve the proposals submitted in this cause by FCC designated price cap carriers. ROR carriers, and the non-Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier ETCs governing their expenditure of federal high-cost universal ser-·ice support during the year 2021. We will certify to the FCC that those plans are compliant with the provisions of §254(e) of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996 and 47 C.F.R. § 54.
We specifically note, however, that our approval herein is contingent upon the staff's continued monitoring of the implementation of the aforementioned plans. The Commission specifically reserves the right to conduct any proceedings that may be necessary to determine if the funding is being used for the intended purpose.
In accordance with 47 C.F.R. § 54. any recipient of CAF II, ROR. or non-incumbent local exchange carrier recipient of high-cost funding shall file the information required by the Form 481 with the FCC. The Commission will continue to verify the certifications of the ETCs receiving. high cost funding pursuant to the applicable FCC rules.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED BY THE COMMISSION, That the CAF II, ROR, and non-incumbent local exchange carrier recipients o f high-cost funding. attached hereto as Appendix
"A", 2020 filings for high-cost support for which they are eligible during the year 2021, are hereby approved as stipulated herein and certified as compliant with the provisions of §254(e) of the Docket 25980, Page 9
Telecommunications Act of 1996 and 47 C.F.R. § 54. The approval granted herein is, however, contingent on the recipients ofhigh-cost funding compliance with all provisions of this Order.
IT IS FL'RTHER ORDERED B¥ THE C(BBIISSION, That the approval and certifications addressed herein shall be further contingent upon satisfactory results from the
Commission's ongoing review as set forth in this Order. To that end. any recipient of high-cost funding shall file the information required by the Form 481 with the FCC.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED B\' THE COMMISSION,That any recipient ofhigh-cost funding shall file their proposals fur the utilization of the funding for which they are eligible in the year 2021 no later than July 12.2021. Interested parties may submit comments in response to the foregoing filings no later than July 26. 2021. Reply comments will be considered by the
Commission i f received on or before August 1.2021.
IT IS FL RTHER ORDERED B¥ THE COMMISSION. That jurisdiction in this cause is hereby retained for the issuance of an> further order or orders as may appear to be just and reasonable in the premises.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED. That this Order shall be effective as of the date hereof, Docket 25980, Page 10 DATED at Montgomery. Alabama, this 3 9*lay of 44;*83 2 620.
ALABAMA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION C _»U-2-=41---1-90(-t Twinkle Address Cavanaugh. President
M?i \ (bW/rflf.{> Jerf U. Oden. Commissioner
Chris -ChiJ'5'ebker. Jr.. Commissioner
rTEST: A True Co(h'
3
lgE.iomas, J CS€retary APPENDIX D Haynevilie Fiber Transport, Inc. d/Wa
Post Office Box 129 Greenville: 334-371 -3000
180 Greenville Bypass Fon Deposit 334-404-4000
Greenville. All 36037 Cam elli (iM„ Fax: 334-371-3001 00' COMMUNICATIONS
Local Service, Long Distance, Internet/DSL July 1,2019
Honorable Walter L. Thomas, Jr., Secretary Alabama Public Service Commission
RSA Union Building 100 North Union Street Montgomery, AL 36104
RE: Hayneville Fiber Transport, Inc.'s Certification of Eligibility to Receive 1 Iigh Cost Support for 2020 Pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 254: 47 C.F.R. § 54.314; APSC Docket 25980; FCC WC Docket No. 14-58
Dear Mr. Thomas:
In conjunction with the Alabama Public Service Commission's (the "Commission") annual certification requirements, please find attached for electronic filing Hayneville Fiber Transport, Inc.'s ("Camellia") certification that it is eligible to continue to receive federal high- cost universal service support for the year 2020, in accordance with the requirements of Section 254 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996,47 C.F.R. § 54.314, APSC Docket No. 25980 and FCC WC Docket No. 14-58. The original and one copy will be delivered to the Commission.
Please be further advised that, in accordance with 47 C.F.R. § 54.313 and the Commission's Further Report and Order of September 27, 2016, in Docket No. 25980, Camellia has submitted copies of the FCC Form 481 filed with the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") and the Universal Service Administrative Company ("USAC") for the program year 2018, to the Commission's Utility Services Division under separate cover.
Should you have any questions regarding this niatter, or if any additional information is required, please contact me at (334) 371-3008.
Very truly yours,
Evelyn4206 P. Rausey « President and Chief Operations Officer
Enclosure CERTIFICATION
In its September 27, 2016 Order in APSC Docket 25980, this Commission undertook substantial revisions to its previous order of December 20, 200 1, in this same docket, which required the "rural LEC Cost Companies" to file with the Commission a copy of their supporting annual interstate cost separation study, annual USF-IICLS filing and estimated USF-LSS filing for review, and the "rural LEC Average Schedule Companies" to file a copy of the Universal Service Administrative Company's ("USAC") and the National Exchange Carriers Association's ("NECA") proposed annual USF-HCL.S and USF-LSS amounts for review.
In particular, this Commission found that the provisions of the Federal Communications Commission's ("FCC") Connect America Fund Order (Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Connect America Fund; A National Broadband Plan for Our Future; Establishing Just and Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers,- High-Cost Universal Service Support; Developing an Unifed Intercarrier Compensation Regime; Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service; Lifeline and Link-Up: Universal Senice Reform - Mobility Fund, WC Docket Nos. 10-90,07-135,05-337,03-109; GN Docket No. 09-51; CC Docket Nos. 01-92, 96-45; WT Docket No. 10-208; and FCC 1 1-161, rel. Nov. 18, 2011) supersede and replace the requirements applicable to previous high-cost funding mechanisms. Eligible telecommunications carriers ("ETCs") now receive high-cost support that includes local switching support, and the FCC has implemented ertensive reporting requirements for recipients of these funds. Because of these changes, the Commission found that it can adequately assess the Rural LECs' compliance with these federal reporting requirements based on a review of the annual FCC Form 48 b submitted by the Rural LECs.
Accordingly, Hayneville Fiber Transport, Inc. ('Camellia") certifies that it ha3 timely filed its Form 481 for the program year 2020 with the FCC and USAC. Camellia further certifies that all federal high-cost support provided to Camellia was used in the preceding calendar year and will be used in the coming calendar year only for the provision, maintenance and upgrading of facilities and services for which such support is intended, consistent with Section 254 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Hayneville respectfully requests that the Commission notify the FCC prior to October I of this year that Camellias eligible to receive fuderal high-cost support in 2020. Any questions regarding this submission or the underlying documentation submitted to the Commission should be directed to the undersigned at (334) 371-3008.
Respectfully Submitted,
HAYNEVILLE FIBER TRANSPORT. INC. By 444 Evelyn Causey As Its. President and Chief Operations Officer Date: -7 *5 /9 -¥*oy
Your Hometown Communications Company
&lay 31.2019
Hon. U-alter L Thomas. S:cretar> \Iabama Public Xenice Commisqi
100 North Union Xtreet
RSA L.'nion Buildint. Suite 850 Montgoiner>. \[. 3613r)
Re: Docket No. 29540 Cer:ification of Eligibilit> of I rin ('ableision. Inc. to Receiw 1·-ederal t 'niwri,. S.niee FundE (FUSF) in Stud> Ai·21 259025 3, it applies to the lirst through FouMh Quarters of 2020
Iro> Cable,i:ion. Inc. ("Compan>'h hereb> pri)\ ide. the requir·ed certification and reg.te,t:d inthrm,iti, regarding the it.: of support funds to be recei,ed iti 2020 and the use of fund> rece ii ed iii 2 18.
On behalf ofthe Compan>. 1. Uilliam 11. 1-reeman. an 01-licer of the Compan> with substantial know-ledce of the Compan>'s operations. do hereb> certif> u·· 't> of periur> that the follouing is true and accurate ti, the best of m> knoul:dge and bel jet
L [ am Pre,ident or Tro, Cablek icion. Inc.
Ihe compan> is certified as a Competitiw Eligible l'elecommunications Carrier ("EICI in the exchanges of ETC certified non-rural Incumbent t.[.Cs, Bel|South Telecommunications. Inc. d.b'a ATAT .\Iabama. Centur> Tel ot.Al:ihania. LLC: ant Butler I elephone Company:
A. such. the Comp.in> 4 e',igil,12 Ii' ree:i\e phased doun d:ibur>:ments from the federal l'nii er..11 jenice Fund in a manner and amount equal to the disbursements rectiwd b> Bellrouth Telecommunications. Ine.dba AT&T Alabama: Centur>Tel of Alabama. LLC: and Butler Telephone Compan> as prescribed b> the Federal Communications Commission.
4. For funds receKed in 2018. the Compan> 1133 lititile all federal High Cost Support onh fur the proviqion. maintenance. and upgrading of tuciliti:i and services for nhich the support is intended. conxistent nith 4" C.S.C. 1 254(e) and 4: LS.C. 4 54.314 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
funds recehed in 2020. the Compall> uil] utilize all federal High Cost Suprort 0111> for tlie n Rion. maintenance. and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended. e,)Ii zi it:nt with 47 C.S.C. 4 254(e).ind 47 l'.S.C. 4 54.3 14 ofthe Telecommunications Act of 1996,
Re,pectfull> Submitted.
r /
William H. Freeman
I're:ident
b • 1 4 ..·:.-4 8,·I-: .4 k - - ." .·f F· e &;7 02. • liu, 1/aham,: -th··
, 1 0, g ,u • euni [ron able net APPENDIX E September 8.2020
Marlene H. Dortch. Secretary Federal Communications Commission
445 Twelfth Street. S.W.
Washington. D.C. 20554
Re: Connect.#mericu /· und. WC Docket No. 10-90
Dear Secretan Dortch:
In response to the Wir:line Competition Bureau-s Public Notice (DA 20-800) released July 29. 2020. in WC Docket No. 10-90. Consolidated Communications. Inc. (Consolidated) liereb> elects to receip e a sei enth >ear of Connect America Fund (--CAF") phase II model- based support for all SIateS where Consolidated accepted CAF Phase H model-based support.' rhe support amounts accepted for Year 7 are shown in the table below and are identical to the model-based support amounts specified in .Appendices A and B of the July 29.2020 Public Notice.
Consolidated commits zo satist>· the specific sen·ice obligations associated with those amounts of model support.
Companb State CAF II Support Accepted for Year 7
CONSOLIDATED COMML-\1CATIONS. INC. CA S 14.837
CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS. iNC. FL S 2.660.998 *Note I i
CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS. INC. IL $ 3.084.857 note 2,
CONSOLID.ATED COMMLNICATIONS, INC. ME $ 13.239.220
CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS, INC. \1\ I 5 2,516.502
CONSOLID.\TED COMMUNICATIONS,iNC. 110 5 1.689.794
CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS. INC. i XII ' 54,376.606
CONSOL-!DATED COMMUNICATIONS,INC, | NY ' S 2.568.269 6-ote 33
CONSOLIDATED COMMLNICATIONS. INC. 05{ 1 5 420,997
CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS. INC. OK 1 S 215.303
CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS, INC. ' PA S 239.836 (Note 4, C(.)\SOLIDATED COMML NICATIONS. INC. IX ' $ 1.915.321
I his includes support acce:ted b> Consotidated as uell as FairPoint Communications, Inc., which w 3, subsequenb. acquired b> Corsolidawl in 2017. Windi:rearn Conimunicacions. Inc 400 I Rodne} Paihant Road I I 70 Blyl-:ZA L,I k Rock. AR 72212 windstream.
June 14.2020
The Honorable Walter Thomas
Alabania Public Service Commission RSA Union Building 100 North Union Street Montgomery. AL 36104
RE: APSC Certification of Eligibiliti to Receive High Cost Support Pursuant to 47 C.F.R. §54.314; APSC Docket 25980
Dear Mr. Thomas:
In conjunction with the Commission's annual certification requirements. please find attached an original and one copy of an affidavit filed on behalf of Windstream Alabama. L.L.C. This affidavit certifies that Windstream Alabama. L.L.C. is eligible to receive federal high cost support for high-cost universal service support.
Please contact me at the phone number below with questions regarding this filing.
Sincqrely.
Danyell Carroll Consultant Regulatoo Compliance (501) 748-6546 1 / i windstream F '
4001 Rodne> Parham Drive • Little Rock, Arkansas 72212 (501 ) 748-7000
Tim Loken, Director Regulator> Reporting Tim.r.loken a windstream com
(501) 748-7442 (work) (501) 748-6583 (fax)
June 14.2020
Via Electronic Filing and Overnight Mail
Honorable Walter Thomas, Secretary Alabama Public Service Commission 100 N. Union Street-8th Floor Montgomery. AL 36104
RE: Implementution of the Universal Service Requirements of Section 25,4 of tile Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Certificution of Non-Rural Carriers Recti,ing Federal High-Cost Support) Docket No. 25980
Dear Mr. Thomas:
Pursuant to the Alabaina Public Service Commission's Order entered in this case on September 27.2016. Eligible Telecommunications Carriers ("ETCs") iii Alabama were ordered to file their proposals for utilization of projected federal high-cost universal support. Windstream Alabaina. 1.1.C (-Windstream") is hereby transmitting information on its plan for the 2021 Connect America Flint ("CAF").
Windstream is currently meeting all its obligations in the deployment of the CAF 11 locations. Windstream is providing information included in Attachment A as required from Docket No 25980.
Please let mepow if you have an> questions or if>ou would like to discuss.
Sincerelj
Attachment
CC: Hon. John Garner, Chief ALD Darrell A. Baker. Director (email) IMac McArthur (email)
SerS,tivt, Inte-93 ATTACHMENTA
ALABAMA YEAR 2020 CAF
FUNDING UTILIZATION
BROADBAND INVESTMENTS
Broadband deployment and m·aintenance in substantially unsened areas: Year 2021
On May· 29,20]5. the FCC offered Windstream Alabama. LLC (Windstream) approximately $6. IM in Connect America Fund, Phase Il (CAF ll). Including aphasedoun from \Vindstream's pre-CAF II support amounts. Windstreain's support for 202 1 is projected at $5 1 1.000
By accepting the CAF 11 offer. Windstreani agreed to provide qualifying broadbandsenicesto 1,889 locations identified by the FCC.
Windstream provided broadband with speeds o f at least 10Nlb 1 Mb to 27 I eligible !ocations during 2019. As of the date of this filing, Windstream provided broadband to 3.259 locations in excess of the required 1.889 locadons identified b> the FCC as required b> the CAF I[ program. Iii addition. A'itidstream w as able to provide sonic ofthese locations in excess ofthe minimum 101 Mb speeds as follows: 34°o at 10Mb. 39° 0 beteen 12Mb-25#11.27° o at I OOMb .
Sensitivity: Interia AFFIDAVII'
STATE OF ARKANSAS
COUNTY OF Pula ski
I. Tim Loken. being dul>' sworn upon oath. do lienb> depose and state as Aliens:
I am the Director Retulatory Reportin
On Behalf of Windstream Alabama, L.L.C.. I declare tile following.
(1) I full> understand the Federal Communication.9 Commission's ( 'FCC") rules for ETC qualification and will abide by them:
(2) I fully understand and will compl> uith the FCC's rules requiring that the Compan> provide sen ice through its own facilities or a combination of its own facilities and resale of another carrier's services:
(3) Regarding Local Exchange Carrier CLEO froni u'hich the Conipany acquires UNEs and/or resale facilities iii Alabama. Windst:eani Alabama, L.L.C. consents to their releasing to the Alabama Public Service Commission (-Commission") any information the Commission requests for purposes of ensuring future compliance with FCC rules. provided the Commission treats the released information as proprietan·, and provided the Commission notifies the Compan>· ofany such requests for information. and
(4) The aforesaid consent supersedes any statement included within the applicable interconnection agreement(s) regarding disclosure.
54% D lim Lo[¢J, uirec tor Regulator>· Reporting
Windstream Alabama. L.L.C.
Subscribed and suorn to before me this 154·hdap of 0- (LAU .2020 Ji33'mui 11,4/1 ' i ge.»64(. /-800/4-12....in 40 ..14*(po**' 01 4)tar>· Public -. . i .- Mi Commission expires: 2 i ARKANSAS i i Gluti'.-EE..." gli 2.CG/61 3#42·.1 *sh f 4 A ..918*COR.,..CAP / fj %42 - Nan"B'---z :
Exhibit F
Letter Deferring ETC Jurisdiction
16
Exhibit G
Affidavit of William H. Freeman
17