*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 57457.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov DA 06- 1185 Released: June 1, 2006 WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU GRANTS CONSENT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF ASSETS OF UNITED TELEPHONE COMPANY OF KANSAS AND UNITED TELEPHONE COMPANY OF EASTERN KANSAS BY RURAL TELEPHONE SERVICE COMPANY, INC. WC Docket No. 06- 80 Pursuant to section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U. S. C. § 214, and sections 0.91, 0.291, and 63.03 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. §§ 0.91, 0.291, and 63.03, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) approves the application for the sale of the Burr Oak, Courtland, Esbon, Ionia, Lebanon, Republic, and Webber exchanges from United Telephone Company of Eastern Kansas, and the Downs, Luray, Osborne, Paradise, and Russell exchanges in Kansas (“ United Exchanges”) from United Telephone Company of Kansas to RuralTel. 1 No comments were filed in opposition to grant of this transaction. The Bureau finds, upon consideration of the record, that the proposed transfer will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity, and therefore grants the requested authorization. 2 Pursuant to section 1.103 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. § 1.103, the consent granted herein is effective upon the release of the Public Notice. 3 Petitions for reconsideration under 1 See Domestic Section 214 Application Filed for the Acquisition of Assets of United Telephone Company of Kansas and United Telephone Company of Eastern Kansas by Rural Telephone Service Company, Inc., Rural Telephone Service Company, Inc., Nex- Tech, Inc., WC Docket No. 06- 80, United Telephone Company of Kansas, and United Telephone Company of Eastern Kansas Seek Waiver of the Study Area Waiver of the Study Area Boundary Freeze as Codified in Part 36, and Rural Telephone Service Company, Inc. Seeks Waiver of Part 69.3( e)( 11) of the Commission’s Rules, CC Docket No. 96- 45, Public Notice, DA 06- 941 (rel. Apr., 2006). 2 See Joint Applications of Global Crossing Ltd., and Citizens Communications Company for Authority to Transfer Control of Corporations Holding Commission Licenses and Authorizations Pursuant to Sections 214 and 310( d) of the Communications Act and Parts 20, 22, 63, 78, 90, and 101 of the Commission’s Rules, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 16 FCC Rcd 8507, 8511- 14 (CCB/ IB/ CSB/ WTB 2001) (granting transfer of control involving incumbent LECs with adjacent exchanges where merger would provide service efficiencies); Joint Applications of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Chorus Communications, Ltd. For Authority to Transfer Control of Commission Licenses and Authorizations Pursuant to Sections 214 and 310( d) of the Communications Act and Parts 22, 63 and 90 of the Commission’s Rules, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 16 FCC Rcd 15293, 15296- 99 (CCB/ WTB 2001) (authorizing transfer of control involving an incumbent LEC and in- region provider of local exchange and exchange access services where transaction overall resulted in pro-competitive benefits). 3 Action on this domestic section 214 application is without prejudice to any action the Commission may take on the pending waiver requests that were filed along with this application. 1 2 section 1.106 or applications for review under section 1.115 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. §§ 1.106, 1.115, may be filed within 30 days of the date of this Public Notice. For further information, please contact Dennis Johnson at (202) 418- 0809 in the Competition Policy, Wireline Competition Bureau. - FCC - 2