DA 19-1009
Released:  October 4, 2019
DOMESTIC SECTION 214 APPLICATION GRANTED FOR THE ACQUISITION OF ASSETS OF ARCADIA TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE AND MONARC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC 

WC Docket No. 19-215

By this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau grants an application filed by Arcadia Telephone Cooperative (Arcadia), Monarc Technologies, LLC (Monarc), Westside Independent Telephone Company, d/b/a Western Iowa Networks (Westside), and BTC, Inc., d/b/a Western Iowa Networks (BTC), (collectively, Applicants), pursuant to section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and sections 63.03-04 of the Commission’s rules, See 47 U.S.C. § 214; 47 CFR §§ 63.03-04.  
 requesting consent for the transfer of the telecommunications assets of Arcadia and Monarc to Westside and BTC, respectively. Domestic Section 214 Application Filed for the Acquisition of Certain Assets of Arcadia Telephone Cooperative and Monarc Technologies, LLC, WC Docket No. 19-215 (filed July 22, 2019) (Application).  Applicants filed supplements to their Application on July 30, 2019, August 23, 2019, and September 6, 2019.  Letter from Gerard J. Duffy, Counsel for Westside and BTC, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC (July 30, 2019) (on file in WC Docket No. 19-215); Letter from Gerard J. Duffy, Counsel for Westside and BTC, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC (Aug. 23, 2019) (on file in WC Docket No. 19-215); Letter from Gerard J. Duffy, Counsel for Westside and BTC, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC (Sept. 6, 2019) (on file in WC Docket No. 19-215).  Applicants also filed an application for the transfer of authorizations associated with international services.  Any action on this domestic section 214 application is without prejudice to Commission action on other related, pending applications.     
  On August 30, 2019, the Bureau released a Public Notice requesting comment on the Application. Domestic Section 214 Application Filed for the Acquisition of Assets of Arcadia Telephone Cooperative and Monarc Technologies, LLC, WC Docket No. 19-215, Public Notice, DA 19-860 (WCB Aug. 30, 2019).
  No party filed comments in opposition to a grant of the Application.

The Bureau finds, upon consideration of the record, that granting the Application will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity. See 47 U.S.C. § 214(a); 47 CFR § 63.03; 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 a transfer of control involving an incumbent local exchange carrier (LEC) to a transferee with an affiliate that provides wireless service in the areas served by the incumbent LEC, and the merger would provide service efficiencies); 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, File Nos. ITC-T/C-20000828-00530, CCBPol No. 00-1 20001005AD-09 0000209675, et al., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 16 FCC Rcd 8507, 8510-11, paras. 7-9 (CCB, IB, CSB, WTB 2001) (granting transfer of control involving incumbent LECs with adjacent exchanges where the merger would provide service efficiencies).
  Pursuant to section 1.103 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.103, the grant is effective upon release of this 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 Dennis Johnson, Wireline Competition Bureau, Competition Policy Division, (202) 418-0809.

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