Federal Communications Commission DA 11-858
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of
Telecommunications Carriers Eligible to Receive
Universal Service Support
WC Docket 09497
Western Wireless Corporation
Petition for Designation as an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier in the
State of Wyoming
Petition for Designation as an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier for the
Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota
ORDER
Adopted: May 11, 2011 Released: May 11, 2011
By the Chief, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau:
1. In this order, we approve the requests of Western Wireless, LLC, successor by merger of
Western Wireless Corporation d/b/a Verizon Wireless (Western Wireless), to relinquish its eligible
telecommunications carrier (ETC) designations in the state of Wyoming and on the Pine Ridge
Reservation in South Dakota.'
2. Section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act), authorizes the
Commission to designate ETCs when a state commission lacks jurisdiction.2 The Commission must
permit such ETCs to relinquish their designation "in any area served by more than one" ETC so long as
"the remaining [ETCs] ensure that all customers served by the relinquishing carrier will continue to be
served."3
3. On December 26, 2000, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) designated Western
Wireless as an ETC in certain areas in the state of Wyoming.4 On October 5, 2001, the Commission
designated Western Wireless as an ETC on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.5
'See Notice of Relinquishment of Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation, WC Docket No. 09-197 (filed
Aug. 11, 2010) (Western Wireless Wyoming Petition); Notice of Relinquishment of Eligible Telecommunications
Carrier Designation, WC Docket No. 09-197, at 2 (filed Aug. 11, 2010) (Western Wireless Pine Ridge Petition). No
comments were filed in this proceeding.
2 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(6).
47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(4).
"Western Wireless Corporation Pet ition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of
Wyoming, CC Docket No. 96-45, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 16 FCC Rcd 48 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2000)
(Western Wireless Wyoming Order). The assigned study area code for Western Wireless' designated service area in
Wyoming defined in the Western Wireless Wyoming Order is 519002.
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service; Western Wireless Corporation Petition for Designation as an
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier for the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, CC Docket 96-45,
(continued....)
Federal Communications Commission DA 11-858
4. In 2005, Ailtel Corporation (Ailtel) acquired Western Wireless.6 On January 9, 2009,
Ceilco Partnership cl/b/a Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) acquired Alitel and its subsidiaries,
including Western Wireless.7 As a condition of the Alltel acquisition, Verizon Wireless voluntarily
agreed to divest all customers, the network serving those customers, and certain other assets in 100
markets, including Wyoming and the Pine Ridge Reservation.8
5. Pursuant to section 21 4(e)(4) of the Act, Western Wireless filed a petition to relinquish
its ETC designations in Wyoming and on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.' In its petition,
Western Wireless asserts that multiple carriers are designated as ETCs in Wyoming and one other carrier
is designated as an ETC on the Pine Ridge Reservation.'° Based on these circumstances, we find that
Western Wireless is permitted to relinquish its ETC designation in Wyoming and on the Pine Ridge
Reservation in South Dakota.1'
6. IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to the authority contained in section 21 4(e)(4) of the
Communications Act as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 2l4(e)(4), and the authority delegated in sections 0.91 and
0.291 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R. § 0.91, 0.291, the ETC designation of Western Wireless
Corporation cl/b/a Verizon Wireless IS RELII\TQUISHED in the state in Wyoming and on the Pine Ridge
Reservation in South Dakota.
7. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, on behalf of its former affiliate Western Wireless
Corporation, Verizon Wireless SHALL TRANSMIT a copy of this order to the Wyoming Public Service
Commission and the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission and the Universal Service Administrative
Company.
(...continued from previous page)
Memorandum Opinion and Order, 16 FCC Rcd 18133 (2001) (Western Wireless Pine Ridge Order). The assigned
study area code for Western Wireless' designated service area on the Pine Ridge Reservation defined in the Western
Wireless Pine Ridge Order is 399001.
61d
of Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless and Atlantis Holdings, LLCfor Consent to Transfer
Control ofLicenses, Authorizations, and Spectrum Manager and de Facto Transfer ofLeasing Arrangements, WT
Docket No. 08-95, Memorandum Opinion and Order and Declaratory Ruling, 23 FCC Red 17444 (2008).
81d.
See generally Western Wireless Wyoming Petition; Western Wireless Pine Ridge Petition.
10 The Western Wireless designated service area in Wyoming is served by the following ETCs: Golden West
Telecommunications Coop, Qwest Corporation, Chugwater Telephone Co., Range Telephone Coop. Inc., RT
Communications, Inc., CenturyLink, and in some locations, Union Cellular, Silver Star Telephone Co. Inc., and
Advanced Communications Technology, Inc. See Western Wireless Wyoming Petition at 3. The designated service
area on the Pine Ridge Reservation is served by the Golden West Telecommunications Coop. See Western Wireless
Pine Ridge Petition at 4.
The Universal Service Administrative Company (US AC) should discontinue the eligibility of study area codes
519002 and 399001, which are assigned to Western Wireless.
2
Federal Communications Commission DA 11-858
8. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to section 1.102(b)(1) of the Commission's
rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.102(b)(1), this order SHALL BE EFFECTIVE upon release.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSSION
Trent B. Harkrader
Chief
Telecommunications Access Policy Division
Wireline Competition Bureau