Florida Public Service Commission native order document 06762-2024

OCR transcription for search; preserved printed pages are authoritative

FILED 6/20/2024
DOCUMENT NO. 06762-2024
FPSC - COMMISSION CLERK

BEFORE THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

In re: Petition for designation as an eligible DOCKET NO. 20240081-TP

telecommunications carrier in the State of ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0209-PAA-TP
Florida, by Telrite Corporation d/b/a Life ISSUED: June 20, 2024
Wireless.

The following Commissioners participated in the disposition of this matter:

MIKE LA ROSA, Chairman
ART GRAHAM
GARY F. CLARK
ANDREW GILES FAY
GABRIELLA PASSIDOMO

NOTICE OF PROPOSED AGENCY ACTION
ORDER GRANTING ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER DESIGNATION

BY THE COMMISSION:

NOTICE is hereby given by the Florida Public Service Commission that the action
discussed herein is preliminary in nature and will become final unless a person whose interests
are substantially affected files a petition for a formal proceeding, pursuant to Rule 25-22.029,
Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

Background

Telrite Corporation d/b/a Life Wireless (Telrite or Company) seeks designation as an
eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for the sole purpose to provide Lifeline service to
qualifying consumers throughout Florida. Telrite is a provider of commercial mobile radio
service (CMRS) and a wireless telecommunications reseller using the underlying wireless
network of AT&T Mobility (AT&T). Telrite is currently designated as an ETC providing
Lifeline service in 40 other states.

As a CMRS provider, Telrite is regulated as a common carrier pursuant to 47 U.S.C. §
153(11).! Telrite is a Georgia corporation that has operated as a provider of telecommunications
services in Florida since 2002. Telrite asserts that the business is not solely dependent on
reimbursement from the federal USF, as Telrite generates non-Lifeline revenues from Telrite’s

' 47 U.S.C. § 153(11) (defining a common carrier as “any person engaged as a common carrier for hire, in interstate
or foreign communications by wire or radio .. . .”; 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(1)(A) (treating commercial mobile service
providers as common carriers).

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0209-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240081-TP
PAGE 2
affiliated companies, Pure Talk Holdings, LLC and Locus Telecommunications, LLC, which do
business as PureTalk and h2o Wireless. Both of these companies provide service in Florida.
Telrite asserts that it meets all applicable federal requirements for designation as a
Lifeline only ETC in Florida pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 214(e) and 47 C.F.R. § 54.201. Telrite
acknowledges and asserts that, if approved, it will comply with Sections 364.10 and 364.105,
Florida Statutes (F.S.), and Rule 25-4.0665, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), which govern
Lifeline service and provide for a transitional discount for customers who no longer qualify for
Lifeline. In addition to the federal rules and statutes discussed above, we have jurisdiction in this
matter pursuant to Section 364.10, F.S.
Section 214(e)(2) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the Act) provides state public
utility commissions with “primary responsibility” for the designation of ETCs. We initially
exercised this authority to designate both wireline and wireless carriers as ETCs. In 2011, the
Florida Legislature removed the FPSC authority to designate wireless ETC providers.2 However,
the Florida Legislature amended Section 364.10, F.S., in 2024 to specifically grant us jurisdiction
to address wireless ETC petitions for Lifeline purposes only.3
Decision
I. 	Requirements for ETC Designation
This Order addresses whether Telrite qualifies for ETC designation to provide Lifeline
service throughout the State of Florida. ETC designation is necessary for telecommunications
companies to participate in the federal Lifeline program.4 Section 364.10, F.S., allows us to
approve 	wireless 	Lifeline 	ETC 	petitions 	for 	requesting 	carriers. 	Specifically, 	subsections
364.10(1)(a) and (3)(a) F.S., provide us with the authority to designate a commercial mobile
radio service provider as an ETC for the limited purpose of providing Lifeline service.
Federal rules outline the requirements for ETC designation.5 To obtain ETC designation
to provide Lifeline services, federal rules require that carriers:
1) 	Be a common carrier;
2) 	Offer the services that are supported by the federal universal support mechanisms
either using its own facilities or a combination of its own facilities and resale of
another carrier’s services;
2 House Bill 1231 (2011), effective July 1, 2011.
3 Senate Bill 478 (2024), effective April 15, 2024.
4 47 C.F.R. § 54.201(a).
5 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(1); 47 C.F.R. § 54.101, 47 C.F.R. § 54.201, and 47 C.F.R. § 54.401; While 47 C.F.R. §
54.101(a) also includes requirements addressing toll limitation services to qualifying low-income consumers, the
FCC in its 2012 Lifeline and Link Up Reform Order (FCC 12-11) stated that: “ETCs are not required to offer toll
limitation service to low-income consumers if the Lifeline offering provides a set amount of minutes that do not
distinguish between toll and non-toll calls.”

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0209-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240081-TP
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3) 	Advertise the availability of its Lifeline service through a media of general
distribution;
4) 	Provide voice grade access to the public switch network or its functional
equivalent;
5) 	Offer minutes of use for local service at no additional charge to end users;
6) 	Provide access to the emergency services available by local government or other
public safety organizations;
7) 	Provide Broadband Internet Access Service;6
8) 	Demonstrate financial and technical capability to provide Lifeline service; and
9) 	Not charge Lifeline customers a monthly number-portability charge.
In addition, Florida law requires ETCs to:
1) 	Offer a discounted transitional basic telecommunications service;7 and
2) 	Participate in the Lifeline Promotion Process.8
II. 	Forbearance of Facilities Requirement
Telrite plans to offer all of the supported services enumerated under Section 254(c) of the
Act through its wireless resale agreements with AT&T. Therefore, it sought forbearance of the
facilities requirement from the FCC. On December 26, 2012, the FCC approved Telrite’s
compliance plan as a condition of obtaining forbearance from the facilities requirement for the
provision of Lifeline service. As part of its compliance plan Telrite committed to do the
following:9
1) 	Provide the supported services throughout the carrier’s designated areas;
2) 	Remain functional in emergency situations;
3) 	Comply 	with 	the 	Cellular 	Telecommunications 	and 	Internet 	Association's
Consumer Code for Wireless Service;
4) 	Demonstrate that it is financially and technically capable of providing the Lifeline
service in compliance with federal rules; and
5) 	Describe the terms and conditions of the broadband Internet access service plans
offered to Lifeline subscribers.
Because Telrite will offer the supported services and is compliant with the FCC
requirements pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 	214(e) and 47 C.F.R. § 54.201, as well as the Florida
specific requirements, Telrite is eligible for designation as a Lifeline only ETC in Florida.
6 Broadband Internet Access Service (BIAS) is defined as a mass-market retail service that provides the capability to
transmit and receive data, but excluding dial-up service.
7 Section 364.105, F.S states that each ETC shall offer a residential basic local telecommunications service at 70
percent of the residential local telecommunications service rate for any Lifeline subscriber who no longer qualifies
for Lifeline for a period of 1 year after the date the subscriber ceases to qualify for Lifeline .
8 Rule 25-4.0665(3), F.A.C. The Lifeline Promotion Process is an electronic system developed in collaboration with
the Florida Department of Children and Families, ETCs and the FPSC. This system helps assist ETCs and the FPSC
in providing information on how to apply for Lifeline assistance to eligible customers.
9 47 C.F.R. § 54.202(a)

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0209-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240081-TP
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III. 	Financial, Managerial, and Technical Capabilities
As noted in its petition and in response to our data request, Telrite has offered service in
Florida since 2002 and has not filed for any form of bankruptcy relief.10 The Company has
operated as an ETC in 40 states and has not been subject to any ETC revocation proceedings.
The Company has over 20 years of technical and managerial experience, and it does not rely
exclusively on Lifeline reimbursements for its operating revenues. As Telrite will be providing
resold wireless service, it will also rely upon the managerial and technical expertise of its
underlying carrier. Telrite resolved all FCC enforcement proceedings in 2017.11
IV. 	Public Interest
State commissions are required to find that ETC designation is in the public interest.12
Telrite asserts granting its ETC designation will bring Lifeline eligible consumers more choice in
providers without creating an additional burden on the federal high-cost programs. In Florida,
consumers are currently limited to three wireless Lifeline providers. These three companies
represent 98 percent of the Lifeline market in Florida.13 However, the FPSC’s estimated Lifeline
participation rate for the last two years has hovered around 18 percent.14 The increase in carriers
servicing this market may increase participation through additional marketing and would serve
the public interest.
V. 	Conclusion
We have reviewed Telrite’s petition for ETC designation in Florida. Telrite meets all the
requirements for designation as an ETC. Additionally, the Company has demonstrated sufficient
financial, managerial, and technical capabilities. Therefore, we grant Telrite ETC designation
throughout the State of Florida as identified in Attachment A of this recommendation. We
further order that if there is a future change of Company ownership, the new owners shall be
required to file a petition with us to demonstrate that it is in the public interest to maintain the
Company’s ETC designation.
Based on the foregoing, it is
ORDERED by the Florida Public Service Commission that Telrite Corporation d/b/a Life
Wireless’s Petition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier throughout the
State of Florida is GRANTED. It is further
ORDERED that Telrite Corporation d/b/a Life Wireless is designated an eligible
telecommunications carrier for the sole purpose of providing Lifeline service to qualifying
consumers in the State of Florida. It is further
10 FPSC, DN 03395-2024, Docket No. 20240081-TP
11 FCC, Order, FCC 17-177, Released December 29, 2017.
12 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(2).
13 2023 Florida Lifeline Assistance Report, December 2023, Appendix C, p 24.
14 Ibid, p 13.

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0209-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240081-TP
PAGES
ORDERED that if there is a future change in Telrite Corporation d/b/a Life Wireless's
ownership, the new owners shall file a petition with the Commission to demonstrate that it is in
the public interest to maintain the ETC designation. It is further
ORDERED that the provisions of this Order, issued as proposed agency action, shall
become final and effective upon the issuance of a Consummating Order unless an appropriate
petition, in the form provided by Rule 28-106.20 l. F.A.C .. is received by the Commission Clerk,
2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850, by the close of business on the
date set forth in the "Notice of Further Proceedings or Judicial Review" attached hereto. It is
further
SF
ORDERED that in the event this Order becomes final, this docket shall be closed.
By ORDER of the Florida Public Service Commission this 20th day of June, 2024.
Commissi
Florida Public Service Commission
2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 413-6770
www.tloridapsc.com
Copies furnished: 	A copy of this document is
provided to the parties of record at the time of
issuance and, if applicable, interested persons.

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0209-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240081-TP
PAGE 6
NOTICE OF FURTHER PROCEEDINGS OR JUDICIAL REVIEW
The Florida Public Service Commission is required by Section 120.569(1), Florida
Statutes, to notify parties of any administrative hearing that is available under Section 120.57,
Florida Statutes, as well as the procedures and time limits that apply. This notice should not be
construed to mean all requests for an administrative hearing will be granted or result in the relief
sought.
Mediation may be available on a case-by-case basis. 	If mediation is conducted, it does
not affect a substantially interested person's right to a hearing.
The action proposed herein is preliminary in nature. Any person whose substantial
interests are affected by the action proposed by this order may file a petition for a formal
proceeding, in the form provided by Rule 28-106.201, Florida Administrative Code. 	This
petition must be received by the Office of Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard,
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850, by the close of business on July 11, 2024.
In the absence of such a petition, this order shall become final and effective upon the
issuance of a Consummating Order.
Any objection or protest filed in this/these docket(s) before the issuance date of this order
is considered abandoned unless it satisfies the foregoing conditions and is renewed within the
specified protest period.

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0209-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240081-TP ATTACHMENT A
PAGE 7

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