Iowa Public Utilities Commission Approves Amendment of Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation for Corn Belt Telephone Company

Strategic Insights -

The Iowa Public Utilities Commission has approved the amendment of Corn Belt Telephone Company's Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designation to include new locations in the state of Iowa. This move is part of the company's effort to expand its services and participate in the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) program.

As part of the program, Corn Belt Telephone Company will receive $42,237 over a ten-year period in exchange for offering voice and broadband services to 38 locations within RDOF-eligible census blocks. The company has already been designated as an ETC for high-cost support in its service areas and has demonstrated its capability to provide services and assume the responsibilities of an ETC in the census blocks for which it was the winning bidder in the RDOF Phase I auction.

The Commission has found that Corn Belt Telephone Company has satisfied the notice and application requirements of the Board's rules and has evidenced the qualifications to amend its ETC designation. However, it is worth noting that the FCC will continue to review the company's application and compliance history before determining whether it will receive support from the RDOF program.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Iowa Public Utilities Commission has approved the amendment of Corn Belt Telephone Company's Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designation to include new locations in the state of Iowa.
  • Corn Belt Telephone Company will receive $42,237 over a ten-year period in exchange for offering voice and broadband services to 38 locations within RDOF-eligible census blocks.
  • The company has already been designated as an ETC for high-cost support in its service areas and has demonstrated its capability to provide services and assume the responsibilities of an ETC in the census blocks for which it was the winning bidder in the RDOF Phase I auction.
  • The Commission has found that Corn Belt Telephone Company has satisfied the notice and application requirements of the Board's rules and has evidenced the qualifications to amend its ETC designation.
  • The FCC will continue to review the company's application and compliance history before determining whether it will receive support from the RDOF program.
  • Corn Belt Telephone Company must file a notice of relinquishment of the designation in Docket No. ETA-2021-0005, pursuant to the Board's rule at 199 IAC 39.8(1), for any census blocks added to the designation through this order where the company is not awarded funds for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund and does not plan to offer service.
  • The company must continue to submit required regulatory filings to the Federal Communications Commission, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and any other applicable regulatory agency, as necessary; maintain company records on file with the Board; timely file Dual Party Relay Service reports; and remit payment of all invoices and assessments, where applicable, as required by the Board rules.

Statistics:

  • $42,237: The amount of support that Corn Belt Telephone Company will receive over a ten-year period in exchange for offering voice and broadband services to 38 locations within RDOF-eligible census blocks.
  • 38: The number of locations within RDOF-eligible census blocks that Corn Belt Telephone Company will provide voice and broadband services to.
  • 10: The number of years over which Corn Belt Telephone Company will receive support for providing voice and broadband services to 38 locations within RDOF-eligible census blocks.
  • 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 3 Mbps upload: The minimum speed requirements for the high-speed fixed broadband service capable of speeds to be deployed by Corn Belt Telephone Company in the RDOF program.
  • July 1, 2020: The start date of Phase I of the RDOF auction.
  • November 25, 2020: The end date of Phase I of the RDOF auction.
  • 47 CFR SS 54.201(d): The FCC rule that requires eligible telecommunications carriers to be designated as high-cost carriers to receive support from the FCC's new RDOF program.

Sources:

  • State of Iowa Department of Commerce Utilities Board (2021). In Re: Corn Belt Telephone Company Docket No. ETA-2021-0005.
  • Federal Communications Commission (2020). Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Public Notice (DA 20-1422).