The Arkansas Public Service Commission ruled that national proble...
The Arkansas Public Service Commission ruled that national problems stemming from the ballooning federal high- cost fund do not justify denying eligible telecom carrier (ETC) applications by applicants meeting federal and state statutory requirements. The PSC (Case 07-028-U) approved…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
Alltel’s application for wireless ETC status, qualifying it for universal service subsidies for local service in areas incumbents Windstream and CenturyTel serve. The incumbents wanted the PSC to hold off ruling on Alltel’s application until the FCC rules on universal service fund reform. They said granting more ETC applications now would exacerbate high-cost fund problems the entire telecom industry recognizes. Alltel said the federal fund’s problems are a matter for U.S. authorities, not the Arkansas PSC. It said the only question facing the state is whether Alltel qualifies as an ETC under current criteria. The PSC decided Alltel meets statutory requirements and noted that no party suggested it doesn’t. The PSC said Alltel’s application made clear its commitment to operate throughout the incumbents’ territories, and said its presence will provide more choice for customers and a mobility option for households qualifying for Lifeline and Link-Up subsidies.