Alltel asked the Arkansas Public Service Commission to deny reque...
Alltel asked the Arkansas Public Service Commission to deny requests by Windstream and CenturyTel to delay a decision on the wireless carrier’s application for eligible telecom carrier (ETC) status, qualifying it for universal service subsidies. The two incumbent phone…
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companies cited general industry concern over the federal high-cost fund ballooning size, saying the PSC should delay action on Alltel’s petition until the FCC acts at the federal level on universal service fund reform. They said granting Alltel ETC status now would exacerbate problems with the federal universal service system. They also urged delay until the PSC finishes a pending generic docket on state universal service reforms. But Alltel said whatever problems the federal fund has are matters for the FCC, Congress and the federal courts, not the Arkansas PSC. Alltel said the PSC’s role is to apply state and federal law and decide if Alltel meets legal requirements. Alltel said no one disputes that it meets applicable state and federal qualifications for ETC designation, and said it had already agreed to abide by any state universal service changes the PSC adopts in its general reform case. Alltel said “there is no reason, requirement, or basis for delay or denial” of its ETC petition.