PUBLIC NOTICE
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th 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 09-2047
Released:  September 14, 2009
NOTICE OF NON-STREAMLINED DOMESTIC 214 APPLICATION GRANTED
WC Docket No.  09-145
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 of Utel, Inc., the ultimate owner of 
Union Telephone Company (Union) and Freedom Ring Communications, LLC d/b/a Union Long 
Distance (Freedom Ring), and TDS Telecommunications Corporation (TDS Telecom) to transfer control 
of Union to TDS Telecom and to transfer the assets and customers of Freedom’s Ring’s long distance 
operations in Union’s local exchange service area to TDS Telecom.1 No commenters opposed grant of 
the application.   
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.  Petitions for reconsideration under 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 Tracey Wilson-Parker at 202 / 418-1394, or Jodie 
May at 202 / 418-0913, Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau.  
  
1 Domestic Section 214 Application Filed for the Transfer of Control of Union Telephone Company and Partial 
Transfer of Assets of Freedom Ring Communications, LLC d/b/a Union Long Distance to TDS 
Telecommunications Corporation, WC Docket No. 09-145, Public Notice, DA 09-1799 (rel. Aug. 12, 2009).
2 See 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, CC Docket No. 01-73, Memorandum 
Opinion and Order, 16 FCC Rcd 15293, 15298-99, para. 10 (CCB/WTB 2001) (granting transfer of control 
involving an incumbent local exchange carrier (LEC) and the transferee, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS), 
where the wireless affiliate of TDS provides service in the area served by the incumbent LEC, and the merger 
would not harm competition).