Federal Communications Commission DA 11-1183
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of
Associated Telecommunications Management
Services, LLC
BLC Acquisition Group, LLC
Bellerud Acquisition Group, LLC
Ganoco Acquisition Group, LLC
Lifeconnex Acquisition Group, LLC
Triarch Acquisition Group, LLC
SCTxLink Acquisition Group, LLC
DialTone & More Acquisition Group, LLC
Ren-Tel Acquisition Group, LLC
Apparent Liability for Forfeiture
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File No. EB-10-IH-4133
NAL/Acct. No. 201132080030
FRN No. 0019354513
FRN No. 0019421031
FRN No. 0019389527
FRN No. 0019389485
FRN No. 0019387182
FRN No. 0019389451
FRN No. 0019419746
FRN No. 0019418581
FRN No. 0019418474
NOTICE OF APPARENT LIABILITY FOR FORFEITURE
Adopted: July 15, 2011 Released:  July 15, 2011
By the Chief, Enforcement Bureau:
I. INTRODUCTION
1. In this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (“NAL”), we find that various subsidiaries 
of Associated Telecommunications Management Services, LLC (“ATMS”) apparently violated section 
214(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (“Act”),1 and sections 63.03 and 63.04 of the 
Commission’s Rules (“Rules”)2 by willfully consummating eight separate transactions, each involving the 
substantial transfer of control of a domestic section 214 authorization, before they obtained Commission 
approval.  ATMS is the parent of eight wholly-owned subsidiaries – BLC Acquisition Group, LLC; 
Bellerud Acquisition Group, LLC; DialTone & More Acquisition Group, LLC; Ganoco Acquisition 
Group, LLC; Lifeconnex Acquisition Group, LLC; Ren-Tel Acquisition Group, LLC; SCTxLink 
  
1 47 U.S.C. § 214(a).
2 47 C.F.R. §§ 63.03, 63.04.
Federal Communications Commission DA 11-1183
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Acquisition Group, LLC and Triarch Acquisition Group, LLC (collectively, “ATMS Subsidiaries”3) – that 
consummated eight separate unauthorized domestic section 214 transfers of control.  Based on our review 
of the undisputed facts in this matter, and for the reasons discussed below, we find that each of the ATMS 
Subsidiaries is apparently liable for a forfeiture of $8000.  
II. BACKGROUND
2. Section 214(a) of the Act, in pertinent part, prohibits the operation or acquisition of lines for 
interstate or international common carrier communication without prior Commission approval.4 Sections 
63.03 and 63.04 of the Rules require Commission approval before a transfer of control or assignment of a 
domestic section 214 authorization.5
3. The ATMS Subsidiaries consummated the following domestic section 214 transfers of 
control without prior Commission approval:
· BLC Acquisition Group, LLC (“BLC”) and BLC Management, LLC filed a section 214 
transfer of control application with the Wireline Competition Bureau (“WCB”) on December 
21, 2009.  On February 27, 2010, WCB granted BLC’s application.6  BLC acquired BLC 
Management, LLC prior to filing the requisite section 214 transfer of control application.7
· On or about September 1, 2009, Bellerud Acquisition Group, LLC (“Bellerud”) acquired 
Bellerud Communications, LLC.8 On December 21, 2009, Bellerud filed its transfer of 
control application with WCB.9  On January 26, 2010, WCB granted a Special Temporary 
Authority (“STA”) application for a 60-day period for the Bellerud transaction.10  On 
February 27, 2010, WCB granted Bellerud’s application.11
· DialTone & More Acquisition Group (“DialTone”) and DialTone & More, Inc. filed a section 
214 transfer of control application with WCB on December 21, 2009.  On February 27, 2010, 
  
3 For the sake of brevity, unless stated otherwise, all references to “ATMS Subsidiaries” in this NAL refer to one or 
more of the aforementioned eight ATMS subsidiaries.
4 47 U.S.C. § 214(a).
5 47 C.F.R. §§ 63.03, 63.04.  Section 63.03(d) addresses pro forma domestic section 214 transactions, which do not 
result in carrier’s ultimate ownership or control.  47 C.F.R. § 63.03(d).
6 See “Notice of Section 214 Authorizations Granted, WC Docket Nos. 10-5, 10-6, 10-7, 10-8, 10-9, 10-10 & 10-
11,” Public Notice, DA 10-354, 25 FCC Rcd 2018 (WCB 2010).
7 The Bureau cannot disclose the specific date on which this transaction was consummated due to a pending request 
for confidential treatment.  
8 See “Domestic Section 214 Application Filed for the Transfer of Control of Bellerud Communications, LLC to 
Bellerud Acquisitions Group, LLC, Streamlined Pleading Cycle Established,” Public Notice, WC Docket No. 10-11, 
DA 10-149, 25 FCC Rcd 970 (WCB 2010).
9 Id.
10 Id. at n. 1.
11 See supra, at note 7.
Federal Communications Commission DA 11-1183
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WCB granted DialTone’s application.12 DialTone acquired DialTone & More, Inc. prior to 
filing the requisite section 214 transfer of control application.13
· On or about September 30, 2009, Ganoco Acquisition Group, LLC (“Ganoco”) acquired 
Ganoco, Inc. d/b/a American Dial Tone, LLC.14 On December 21, 2009, Ganoco filed its 
transfer of control application with WCB.15  On January 26, 2010, WCB granted an STA to 
Ganoco for a 60-day period for the transaction.16  On February 27, 2010, WCB granted 
Ganoco’s application.17
· On or about September 1, 2009, LifeConnex Acquisition Group, LLC (“LifeConnex”)
acquired LifeConnex Telecom, LLC.18 On December 21, 2009, LifeConnex filed its transfer 
of control application with WCB.19  On January 26, 2010, WCB granted an STA for a 60-day 
period for the Lifeconnex transaction.20  On February 27, 2010, WCB granted LifeConnex’s 
application.21
· Ren-Tel Acquisition Group, LLC (“Ren-Tel”) and Ren-Tel Communications, Inc. filed a 
section 214 transfer of control application with WCB on December 21, 2009.  On February 
27, 2010, WCB granted Ren-Tel’s application. Ren-Tel acquired Ren-Tel Communications, 
Inc. prior to filing the requisite section 214 transfer of control application22
· SC TXLink Acquisition Group, LLC (“SC TXLink”) and SC TXLink, LLC filed a section 
214 transfer of control application with WCB on December 21, 2009.  On February 27, 2010, 
WCB granted SC TXLink’s application.23  SC TXLink prior to filing the requisite section 214 
transfer of control application.24
  
12 Id.
13 The Bureau cannot disclose the specific date on which this transaction was consummated due to a pending request 
for confidential treatment.  
14 See “Domestic Section 214 Application Filed for the Transfer of Control of Ganoco, Inc. D/B/A American Dial 
Tone to Ganoco Acquisition Group, LLC, Streamlined Pleading Cycle Established,” Public Notice, WC Docket No. 
10-9, 25 FCC Rcd 976 (WCB 2010).
15 Id..
16 Id. at n. 1.
17 See supra, at note 7.
18 See “Domestic Section 214 Application Filed for the Transfer of Control of Lifeconnex Telecom, LLC to 
Lifeconnex Acquisition Group, LLC, Streamlined Pleading Cycle Established,” Public Notice, WC Docket No. 10-
10, DA 10-152, 25 FCC Rcd 979 (WCB 2010).LOI Response at 4.
19 Id.
20 Id. at n. 1.
21 See supra, at note 7.
22 The Bureau cannot disclose the specific date on which this transaction was consummated due to a pending request 
for confidential treatment.  
23 See supra, at note 7.
24 The Bureau cannot disclose the specific date on which this transaction was consummated due to a pending request 
for confidential treatment.  
Federal Communications Commission DA 11-1183
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· On or about October 12, 2009, Triarch Acquisition Group, LLC (“Triarch”) acquired Triarch 
Marketing, Inc.25 On December 21, 2009, Triarch filed its transfer of control application with 
WCB.26  On February 1, 2010, WCB granted a 60-day STA for the Triarch transaction.27  On 
March 5, 2010, WCB granted Triarch’s application.28
III. DISCUSSION
4. Under section 503(b)(1) of the Act, “[a]ny person who is determined by the Commission … 
to have … willfully or repeatedly failed to comply with any of the provisions of this Act or of any rule, 
regulation, or order issued by the Commission under this Act … shall be liable to the United States for a 
forfeiture penalty.29 Section 312(f)(1) of the Act defines “willful” as “the conscious and deliberate 
commission or omission of [any] act, irrespective of any intent to violate any provision of this Act or any 
rule or regulation by the Commission authorized by this Act….”30 The legislative history to section 
312(f)(1) of the Act clarifies that this definition of “willful” applies to both sections 312 and 503(b) of the 
Act,31 and the Commission has so interpreted the term in the section 503(b) context.32 To impose a 
forfeiture penalty, the Commission must issue a notice of apparent liability, and the person against whom 
the notice has been issued must have an opportunity to show, in writing, why no such forfeiture penalty 
should be imposed.33 The Commission will then issue a forfeiture if it finds, based on the evidence, that 
the person has violated the Act, a Rule, or a Commission Order.34  
5. We conclude that it is apparent that the ATMS Subsidiaries willfully violated section 214(a) 
of the Act and sections 63.03 and 63.04 of the Rules because they failed to obtain Commission approval 
before consummating eight separate substantial transfers of control of domestic section 214 
authorizations.  The facts underlying this case are undisputed:  ATMS, as parent of the ATMS 
Subsidiaries, confirmed that its ATMS Subsidiaries (i) did not seek approval for any of these transactions 
until after each had been consummated, and (ii) did not disclose four of the eight transactions until the 
Enforcement Bureau’s investigation and only after WCB had granted the applications.35 The violation 
periods range from approximately 2.5 months to approximately 3.5 months.  
  
25.See “Domestic Section 214 Application Filed for the Transfer of Control of Triarch Marketing, Inc. to Triarch 
Acquisition Group, LLC, Streamlined Pleading Cycle Established,” Public Notice, WC Docket No. 10-33, DA 10-
219, 25 FCC Rcd 1238 (WCB 2010).
26 Id.
27 Id. at n. 1.
28 See “Notice of Domestic Section 214 Authorization Granted, WC Docket No. 10-33,” Public Notice, DA 10-386, 
25 FCC Rcd 2258 (WCB 2010).
29 47 U.S.C. § 503(b)(1)(B); 47 C.F.R. § 1.80(a)(1).  
30 47 U.S.C. § 312(f)(1).
31 H.R. Rep. No. 97-765, 97th Cong. 2d Sess. 51 (1982).
32 See, e.g., Southern California Broadcasting Co., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 6 FCC Rcd 4387, 4388, ¶ 5 
(1991) (“Southern California Broadcasting”).
33 47 U.S.C. § 503(b); 47 C.F.R. § 1.80(f).
34 See, e.g., SBC Communications, Inc., Forfeiture Order, 17 FCC Rcd 7589, 7591, ¶ 4 (2002).
35 See Application for Commission Consent to Transfer of Control of Section 214-Authorized Interstate Carrier 
Ganoco, Inc. d/b/a American Dial Tone to Ganoco Acquisition Group, LLC, WC Docket No. 10-09 (Dec. 18, 2009) 
at 4; Application for Commission Consent to Transfer of Control of Section 214-Authorized Interstate Carrier 
Federal Communications Commission DA 11-1183
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6. In determining the amount of a forfeiture penalty, section 503(b)(2)(D) of the Act36 and 
section 1.80(a)(4) of the Rules direct the Commission to take into account “the nature, circumstances, 
extent, and gravity of the violation . . . and the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability 
to pay, and such other matters as justice may require.”37 The Commission’s Forfeiture Policy Statement 
and implementing Rules prescribe a base forfeiture of $8,000 for each separate unauthorized substantial 
transfer of control.38 In determining the appropriate forfeiture amount, we consider the factors 
enumerated in section 503(b)(2)(D) of the Act, including “the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity 
of the violation and, with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, 
ability to pay, and such other matters as justice may require.”39 In consideration of the factors enumerated 
in section 503(b)(2)(D) for establishing the forfeiture amount, there is no other evidence before us to 
suggest that the base amount should be adjusted in any way.  Accordingly, we find that the base forfeiture 
of $8,000 is appropriate for each one of the eight separate domestic substantial transfers of control 
without prior Commission approval.  Based on the facts and circumstances presented, we conclude that a 
proposed forfeiture of $8,000 against each of the ATMS Subsidiaries is warranted.  
IV.  ORDERING CLAUSES
7. ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to section 503(b) of the Act and 
sections 0.111, 0.311, 0.314 and 1.80 of the Rules, BLC Acquisition Group, LLC, is hereby NOTIFIED
of its APPARENT LIABILITY FOR A FORFEITURE in the amount of eight thousand dollars 
($8,000) for apparently willfully or repeatedly violating section 214(a) of the Act and sections 63.03 and 
63.04 of the Rules.  
8. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to section 503(b) of the Act and sections 
0.111, 0.311, 0.314 and 1.80 of the Rules, Bellerud Acquisition Group, LLC, is hereby NOTIFIED of its 
APPARENT LIABILITY FOR A FORFEITURE in the amount of eight thousand dollars ($8,000) for 
apparently willfully or repeatedly violating section 214(a) of the Act and sections 63.03 and 63.04 of the 
Rules. 
9. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to section 503(b) of the Act and sections 
0.111, 0.311, 0.314 and 1.80 of the Rules, DialTone & More Acquisition Group, LLC, is hereby 
NOTIFIED of its APPARENT LIABILITY FOR A FORFEITURE in the amount of eight thousand 
  
Lifeconnex Telecom, LLC to Lifeconnex Acquisition Group, LLC, WC Docket No. 10-10 (Dec. 18, 2009) at 4; 
Application for Commission Consent to Transfer of Control of Section 214-Authorized Interstate Carrier Bellerud 
Communications, LLC to Bellerud Acquisition Group, LLC, WC Docket No. 10-11 (Dec. 18, 2009) at 4; 
Application for Commission Consent to Transfer of Control of Section 214-Authorized Interstate Triarch Marketing, 
Inc. to Triarch Acquisition Group, LLC, WC Docket No. 10-11 (Dec. 18, 2009) at 4; see also Letter from David H. 
Solomon and Robert G. Morse, Counsel to ATMS to Robert Krinsky, Investigations and Hearings Div., Enf. Bur., 
Fed. Comm. Comm’n. (Nov. 8, 2010) at 4 and 7, n. 6.
36 47 U.S.C. § 503(b)(2)(D).
37 47 C.F.R. § 1.80(a)(4).
38 See 47 C.F.R. § 1.80; Forfeiture Policy Statement, 12 FCC Rcd 17087, 17113 (1997).  See also One Call Internet, 
Inc. Section 214 Transfer of Control of Domestic Transmission Lines Requirements, Order adopting Consent 
Decree, 18 FCC Rcd 25718 (2003) (setting the voluntary amount at $8,000 for possible unauthorized domestic 
section 214 transfer of control).
3947 U.S.C. § 503(b)(2)(D).
Federal Communications Commission DA 11-1183
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dollars ($8,000) for apparently willfully or repeatedly violating section 214(a) of the Act and sections 
63.03 and 63.04 of the Rules.  
10. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to section 503(b) of the Act and sections 
0.111, 0.311, 0.314 and 1.80 of the Rules, Ganoco Acquisition Group, LLC, is hereby NOTIFIED of its 
APPARENT LIABILITY FOR A FORFEITURE in the amount of eight thousand dollars ($8,000) for 
apparently willfully or repeatedly violating section 214(a) of the Act and sections 63.03 and 63.04 of the 
Rules.  
11. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to section 503(b) of the Act and sections 
0.111, 0.311, 0.314 and 1.80 of the Rules, Lifeconnex Acquisition Group, LLC, is hereby NOTIFIED of 
its APPARENT LIABILITY FOR A FORFEITURE in the amount of eight thousand dollars ($8,000) 
for apparently willfully or repeatedly violating section 214(a) of the Act and sections 63.03 and 63.04 of 
the Rules.  
12. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to section 503(b) of the Act and sections 
0.111, 0.311, 0.314 and 1.80 of the Rules, Ren-Tel Acquisition Group, LLC, is hereby NOTIFIED of its 
APPARENT LIABILITY FOR A FORFEITURE in the amount of eight thousand dollars ($8,000) for 
apparently willfully or repeatedly violating section 214(a) of the Act and sections 63.03 and 63.04 of the 
Rules.  
13. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to section 503(b) of the Act and sections 
0.111, 0.311, 0.314 and 1.80 of the Rules, SCTxLink Acquisition Group, LLC, is hereby NOTIFIED of 
its APPARENT LIABILITY FOR A FORFEITURE in the amount of eight thousand dollars ($8,000) 
for apparently willfully or repeatedly violating section 214(a) of the Act and sections 63.03 and 63.04 of 
the Rules.  
14. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to section 503(b) of the Act and sections 
0.111, 0.311, 0.314 and 1.80 of the Rules, Triarch Acquisition Group, LLC, is hereby NOTIFIED of its 
APPARENT LIABILITY FOR A FORFEITURE in the amount of eight thousand dollars ($8,000) for 
apparently willfully or repeatedly violating section 214(a) of the Act and sections 63.03 and 63.04 of the 
Rules.  
15. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to section 1.80 of the Commission’s rules, 
within thirty days of the release date of this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, the ATMS
Subsidiaries SHALL PAY the full amount of the proposed forfeiture or SHALL FILE a written statement 
seeking reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture.
16. Payment of the forfeiture must be made by check or similar instrument, payable to the 
order of the Federal Communications Commission.  The payment must include the NAL/Acct. No. and 
FRN referenced above.  Payment by check or money order may be mailed to Federal Communications 
Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000.  Payment by overnight mail may be sent to 
U.S. Bank – Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 
63101.  Payments by wire transfer may be made to ABA Number 021030004, receiving bank Federal 
Reserve Bank of New York, and account number 27000001.  For payment by credit card, an FCC Form 
159 (Remittance Advice) must be submitted.  When completing the FCC Form 159, enter the 
NAL/Account number in block number 23A (call sign/other ID), and enter the letters “FORF” in block 
number 24A (payment type code).  ATMS will also send electronic notification within forty-eight (48) 
hours of the date said payment is made to Terry.Cavanaugh@fcc.gov, Pamela.Kane@fcc.gov and 
Robert.Krinsky@fcc.gov.
Federal Communications Commission DA 11-1183
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17. The written statement seeking reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeitures, if 
any, must include a detailed factual statement supported by appropriate documentation and affidavits 
pursuant to sections 1.80(f)(3) and 1.16 of the Commission’s rules.40 The written statement must be 
mailed to Theresa Z. Cavanaugh, Acting Chief, Investigations and Hearings Division, Enforcement 
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 4-C330, Washington, D.C. 
20554 and must include the NAL/Acct. No. referenced above.  The written statement should also be 
emailed to Terry Cavanaugh at Terry.Cavanaugh@fcc.gov, Pamela Kane at Pamela.Kane@fcc.gov and 
Robert.Krinsky at Robert.Krinsky@fcc.gov.
18. The Commission will not consider reducing or canceling a forfeiture in response to a 
claim of inability to pay unless the petitioner submits:  (1) federal tax returns for the most recent three-
year period; (2) financial statements prepared according to generally accepted accounting practices 
(GAAP); or (3) some other reliable and objective documentation that accurately reflects the petitioner’s 
current financial status.  Any claim of inability to pay must specifically identify the basis for the claim by 
reference to the financial documentation submitted.
19. Requests for payment of the full amount of this Notice of Apparent Liability for 
Forfeiture under an installment plan should be sent to:  Chief Financial Officer -- Financial Operations, 
Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 1-A625, Washington, D.C.  20554.41  
For answers to questions regarding payment procedures, please contact the Financial Operations Group 
Help Desk at 1-877-480-3201 or Email: ARINQUIRIES@fcc.gov.
20. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Notice of Apparent Liability for 
Forfeiture shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to counsel for ATMS: Timothy J. 
Cooney, Esq., Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer LLP, 2300 N Street, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 
20037-1128.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
P. Michele Ellison
Chief, Enforcement Bureau
  
40 See 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.80(f)(3), 1.16.
41 See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1914.