Case Background
On March 11,
2019, Global Connection Inc. of America (of Georgia) (Global) filed a petition
with the Florida Public Service Commission (Commission) for cancellation of its
Certificate of Authority No. 7830 and relinquishment of its Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designation in Florida effective May 14, 2019.
Global has been a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) in Florida since
June 28, 2001. On September 15, 2011, the Commission designated Global as an
ETC in parts of AT&T Florida’s service territory. ETC designation is a requirement for telecommunications
carriers to receive federal Universal Service Funds for the Lifeline program.
The Lifeline program enables low-income households to obtain and maintain
telephone service by providing households with discounts on their monthly
telephone bills.
As of March 2019,
Global only had three Lifeline customers in Florida. Global stated in its petition that Global
is exiting the wireline telecommunications market in Florida. As a result,
Global is requesting relinquishment of its ETC designation in Florida.
The
Commission is vested with jurisdiction in this matter, pursuant to Section
364.10, Florida Statutes (F.S.), 47 U.S.C §214(e)(4), and 47 C.F.R. §54.205.
Discussion
of Issues
Issue 1:
Should the Commission approve Global’s request to
relinquish its ETC designation in Florida and acknowledge its notice of
cancellation of CLEC Certificate No. 7830?
Recommendation:
Yes. The Commission should approve Global’s request to
relinquish its ETC designation in Florida and acknowledge its notice of
cancellation of CLEC Certificate No. 7830. (Deas, Fogleman, Wendel, Duval)
Staff Analysis:
An ETC may relinquish its ETC designation pursuant
to 47 C.F.R. §54.205(a), which provides that:
A state commission shall permit an eligible
telecommunications carrier to relinquish its designation as such a carrier in
any area served by more than one eligible telecommunications carrier. An
eligible telecommunications carrier that seeks to relinquish its eligible
telecommunications carrier designation for an area served by more than one
eligible telecommunications carrier shall give advance notice to the state
commission of such relinquishment.
In approving a relinquishment, state commissions must
require the remaining ETCs to ensure that existing customers will continue to
be served. 47 C.F.R. §54.205(b), provides that:
Prior to permitting a telecommunications carrier
designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier to cease providing
universal service in an area served by more than one eligible telecommunications
carrier, the state commission shall require the remaining eligible
telecommunications carrier or carriers to ensure that all customers served by
the relinquishing carrier will continue to be served, and shall require
sufficient notice to permit the purchase or construction of adequate facilities
by any remaining eligible telecommunications carrier. The state commission
shall establish a time, not to exceed one year after the state commission
approves such relinquishment under this section, within which such purchase or
construction shall be completed.
In its petition, Global identified its service area by
wire centers (Attachment A). Staff sent data requests to each ETC in Global’s
service area asking each provider to verify that they were currently providing
Lifeline service to customers or capable of providing service to customers in
Global’s service area. Staff reviewed the responses to verify that customers in
Global’s service area would continue to be served. Based on staff’s review and
analysis, staff determined that customers in Global’s service area will
continue to have Lifeline service available from one or more ETCs.
Global asserts a notice will be
sent to all affected customers via first class mail 45 days prior to
discontinuance of service. The notice will explain that Global will no longer
provide wireline local exchange service in Florida. If customers do not choose
another provider before the last service date their service will be terminated.
Global also states it will provide customers a list of providers operating in
Global’s service area.
After reviewing Global’s petition and the responses to the
ETC data request, staff has verified there will be one or more ETCs remaining
in Global’s service area. Therefore, Lifeline service will continue to be
available to customers residing within the relinquishment area if Global’s
petition is granted. Staff believes Global has met the 47 C.F.R. §54.205
requirements to relinquish its ETC designation in its service area. In
addition, Global is requesting cancellation of its CLEC Certificate No. 7830,
effective May 14, 2019. Global has met the requirements of Section 364.335(3), F.S.,
by providing notice in writing of its request for voluntary cancellation of its
certificate and has submitted all Regulatory Assessment Fees. Therefore, staff
recommends that the Commission should approve Global’s petition for
relinquishment of its ETC designation and acknowledge cancellation of its CLEC
Certificate No. 7830.
Issue 2:
Should this docket be closed?
Recommendation:
Yes, if no person whose substantial interests are
affected by the proposed agency action files a protest within 21 days of the
issuance of the order, this docket should be closed upon the issuance of a Consummating
Order. (DuVal)
Staff Analysis:
At the conclusion of the protest period, if no
protest is filed this docket should be closed upon the issuance of a Consummating
Order.
