Case No. TMW-T-10-01, Order No. 32543

May 14, 2012

Contact: Gene Fadness (208) 334-0339, 890-2712

T-Mobile seeks federal dollars to expand broadband service

T-Mobile West Corporation is seeking state approval to compete for federal dollars to accelerate deployment of cellular and broadband services in unserved areas of Idaho.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission granted ETC (eligible telecommunications carrier) status to T-Mobile last fall, which qualified the wireless provider to receive federal Universal Service Fund support to help telephone consumers in rural areas where it costs more to provide a telephone network. In this application, T-Mobile requests conditional ETC status in areas not receiving any broadband services.

The conditional ETC designation would allow T-Mobile to compete in a Federal Communications Commission auction for one-time federal support. T-Mobile would be seeking a share of about $300 million available in the FCC’s Mobility Fund Phase 1 Auction on Sept. 1.

The commission is taking comments on T-Mobile’s application through May 24. Comments are accepted via e-mail by accessing the commission’s homepage at www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on "Comments & Questions About a Case." Fill in the case number (TMW-T-10-01) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to (208) 334-3762.

A full text of the commission’s order, along with other documents related to this case, is available on the commission’s Web site. Click on “File Room” and then on “Telecommunications Cases” and scroll down to the above case number.