Florida Public Service Commission native order document 06764-2024

OCR transcription for search; preserved printed pages are authoritative

FILED 6/20/2024
DOCUMENT NO. 06764-2024
FPSC - COMMISSION CLERK

BEFORE THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

In re: Petition for designation as an eligible DOCKET NO. 20240082-TP
telecommunications carrier in the State of ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0210-PAA-TP
Florida, by American Broadband and ISSUED: June 20, 2024
Telecommunications Company LLC.

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

American Broadband and Telecommunications Company LLC (American Broadband or
Company) seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for the sole
purpose of providing Lifeline service to qualifying consumers throughout Florida. American
Broadband is a provider of commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) and offers prepaid wireless
telecommunications services to consumers as a reseller. Specifically, American Broadband uses
the network infrastructure and wireless transmission facilities of T-Mobile USA, Inc. (T-Mobile)
to operate as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator. American Broadband 1s currently designated as
an ETC providing Lifeline service in 21 other states.

As a CMRS provider, American Broadband is regulated as a common carrier pursuant to
47 U.S.C. § 153(11).' American Broadband is a Delaware limited liability company that is
privately held by American Broadband and Telecommunications Holdings Inc.

' 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-2024-0210-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240082-TP
PAGE 2
American Broadband 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. American Broadband 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 American Broadband qualifies for ETC designation to
provide Lifeline service throughout the State of Florida.4 Section 364.10, F.S., allows us to
approve 	wireless 	Lifeline 	ETC 	petitions 	for 	requesting 	carriers. 	Specifically, 	paragraphs
364.10(1)(a) and (3)(a), F.S., provides 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;
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;
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-2024-0210-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240082-TP
PAGE 3
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 Requirements
American Broadband plans to offer all of the supported services enumerated under
Section 254(c) of the Act through its wireless resale agreement with T-Mobile. Therefore, it
sought forbearance of the facilities requirement from the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC). On May 25, 2012, the FCC approved American Broadband’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 American Broadband 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 American Broadband 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, American Broadband 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-2024-0210-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240082-TP
PAGE 4
III. 	Financial, Managerial, and Technical Capabilities
As noted in its petition, American Broadband has offered service since 2004 and has not
filed for any form of bankruptcy relief. The Company has operated as an ETC in 21 states and
has not been subject to any ETC revocation proceedings. The Company has 20 years of technical
and managerial experience, and it does not rely exclusively on Lifeline reimbursements for its
operating revenues. As American Broadband will be providing resold wireless service, it will
also rely upon the managerial and technical expertise of its underlying carrier. American
Broadband resolved all FCC enforcement proceedings in 2022.10
IV. 	Public Interest
State commissions are required to find that ETC designation is in the public interest.11
American Broadband asserts granting its ETC designation will bring Lifeline eligible consumers
more choice in providers. In Florida, consumers are currently limited to three wireless Lifeline
providers. These three companies represent 98 percent of the Lifeline market in Florida.12
However, the FPSC’s estimated Lifeline participation rate for the last two years has hovered
around 18 percent.13 The increase in carriers servicing this market may increase participation
through additional marketing and would serve the public interest.
V. 	Conclusion
We have reviewed American Broadband’s petition for ETC designation in Florida.
American Broadband meets all the requirements for designation as an ETC. Additionally, the
Company 	has 	demonstrated 	sufficient 	financial, 	managerial, 	and 	technical 	capabilities.
Therefore, we grant American Broadband 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 American Broadband and
Telecommunications 	Company 	LLC’s 	Petition 	for 	Designation 	as 	an 	Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier throughout the State of Florida is GRANTED. It is further
ORDERED 	that 	American 	Broadband 	and 	Telecommunications 	Company 	LLC 	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 FCC, Order, DA 22-421, Released June 3, 2022.
11 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(2).
12 2023 Florida Lifeline Assistance Report, December 2023, Appendix C, p 24.
13 Ibid, p 13.

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0210-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240082-TP
PAGES
ORDERED 	that 	if 	there 	is 	a 	future 	change 	in 	American 	Broadband 	and
Telecommunications Company LLC's ownership, the new owners shall file a petition with the
Commission to demonstrate that it is in the public interest to mainlain 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 fonn provided by Rule 28-106.201, 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 Fu11her 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.
Commission Clerk
Florida Public Service Commission
2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 413-6770
www.floridapsc.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-2024-0210-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240082-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-2024-0210-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240082-TP ATTACHMENT A
PAGE 7

AMERICAN BROADBAND AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY

FLORIDA
SERVICE AREA ZIP CODES
32003 32112 32209 32324 32439 32563 32680 32796
32008 32113 32210 32327 32440 32564 32683 32798
32009 32114 32211 32328 32442 32565 32686 32801
32011 32117 32212 32330 32443 32566 32693 32803
32024 32118 32214 32331 32444 32567 32694 32804
32025 32119 32216 32332 32445 32568 32696 32805
32033 32124 32217 32333 32446 32569 32701 32806
32034 32127 32218 32334 32448 32570 32702 32807
32038 32128 32219 32336 32449 32571 32703 32808
32040 32129 32220 32340 32455 32577 32707 32809
32043 32130 32221 32343 32456 32578 32708 32810
32044 32131 32222 32344 32459 32579 32709 32811
32046 32132 32223 32346 32460 32580 32712 32812
32052 32134 32224 32347 32461 32583 32713 32814
32053 32136 32225 32348 32462 32601 32714 32815
32054 32137 32226 32350 32463 32603 32720 32816
32055 32139 32227 32351 32464 32605 32723 32817
32058 32140 32228 32352 32465 32606 32724 32818
32059 32141 32233 32355 32466 32607 32725 32819
32060 32145 32234 32356 32501 32608 32726 32820
32061 32148 32244 32358 32502 32609 32730 32821
32062 32159 32246 32359 32503 32610 32732 32822
32063 32162 32250 32360 32504 32611 32735 32824
32064 32163 32254 32399 32505 32612 32736 32825
32065 32164 32256 32401 32506 32615 32738 32826
32066 32168 32257 32403 32507 32617 32744 32827
32067 32169 32258 32404 32508 32618 32746 32828
32068 32174 32259 32405 32509 32619 32750 32829
32071 32176 32266 32407 32511 32621 32751 32830
32073 32177 32277 32408 32512 32622 32754 32831
32080 32179 32301 32409 32514 32625 32757 32832
32081 32180 32303 32413 32520 32626 32759 32833
32082 32181 32304 32420 32526 32628 32763 32835
32083 32182 32305 32421 32531 32631 32764 32836
32084 32187 32306 32423 32533 32639 32765 32837
32086 32189 32307 32424 32534 32640 32766 32839
32087 32190 32308 32425 32535 32641 32767 32901

29001 39109 29900 2Age 29824 2942 29774 297003

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0210-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240082-TP ATTACHMENT A
PAGE 8

AMERICAN BROADBAND AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY

FLORIDA
SERVICE AREA ZIP CODES
32925 33030 33138 33195 33415 33496 33604 33759
32926 33031 33139 33196 33416 33498 33605 33760
32927 33032 33140 33199 33417 33510 33606 33761
32931 33033 33141 33256 33418 33511 33607 33762
32934 33034 33142 33301 33420 33513 33609 33763
32935 33035 33143 33304 33421 33514 33610 33764
32937 33036 33144 33305 33426 33521 33611 33765
32940 33037 33145 33306 33428 33523 33612 33767
32948 33039 33146 33308 33430 33525 33613 33770
32949 33040 33147 33309 33431 33527 33614 33771
32950 33042 33149 33310 33432 33534 33615 33772
32951 33043 33150 33311 33433 33538 33616 33773
32952 33050 33154 33312 33434 33540 33617 33774
32953 33051 33155 33313 33435 33541 33618 33776
32955 33054 33156 33314 33436 33542 33619 33777
32958 33055 33157 33315 33437 33543 33620 33778
32960 33056 33158 33316 33438 33544 33621 33781
32961 33060 33160 33317 33440 33545 33622 33782
32962 33062 33161 33319 33441 33547 33624 33785
32963 33063 33162 33321 33442 33548 33625 33786
32966 33064 33165 33322 33444 33549 33626 33801
32967 33065 33166 33323 33445 33556 33629 33803
32968 33066 33167 33324 33446 33558 33634 33805
32969 33067 33168 33325 33448 33559 33635 33807
32976 33068 33169 33326 33449 33563 33637 33809
33001 33069 33170 33327 33455 33565 33647 33810
33004 33070 33172 33328 33458 33566 33701 33811
33009 33071 33173 33330 33460 33567 33702 33812
33010 33073 33174 33331 33461 33569 33703 33813
33012 33076 33175 33332 33462 33570 33704 33815
33013 33101 33176 33334 33463 33572 33705 33823
33014 33109 33177 33351 33467 33573 33706 33825
33015 33122 33178 33388 33469 33574 33707 33827
33016 33125 33179 33401 33470 33576 33708 33830
33018 33126 33180 33403 33471 33578 33709 33834
33019 33127 33181 33404 33472 33579 33710 33837
33020 33128 33182 33405 33473 33584 33711 33838
33021 33129 33183 33406 33476 33585 33712 33839
33022 33130 33184 33407 33477 33586 33713 33840
33023 33131 33185 33408 33478 33592 33714 33841
33024 33132 33186 33409 33480 33594 33715 33843
33025 33133 33187 33410 33483 33596 33716 33844
33026 33134 33189 33411 33484 33597 33730 33846
33027 33135 33190 33412 33486 33598 33744 33847
33028 33136 33193 33413 33487 33602 33755 33848

33029 33137 33194 33414 33493 33603 33756 33849

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0210-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240082-TP

PAGE 9

33850
33852
33853
33854
33855
33856
33857
33859
33860
33863
33865
33867
33868
33870
33872
33873
33875
33876
33877
33880
33881
33884
33888
33890
33896
33897
33898
33901
33902
33903
33904
33905
33906
33907
33908
33909
33912
33913
33914
33916
s39L7
33919
33920
33921
33922
33924

ATTACHMENT A

AMERICAN BROADBAND AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY

33928
33930
33931
33935
33936
33944
33946
33947
33948
33950
33952
33953
33954
33955
33956
33957
33960
33965
33966
33967
33971
33972
33973
33974
33976
33980
33981
33982
33983
33990
33991
33993
34101
34102
34103
34104
34105
34108
34109
34110
34112
34113
34114
34116
34117
34119

34120
34134
34135
34138
34139
34140
34141
34142
34145
34201
34202
34203
34205
34207
34208
34209
34210
34211
34212
34215
34216
34217
34219
34221
34222
34223
34224
34228
34229
34231
34232
34233
34234
34235
34236
34237
34238
34239
34240
34241
34242
34243
34251
34260
34266
34267

FLORIDA
SERVICE AREA ZIP CODES
34269 34602
34275 34604
34285 34606
34286 34607
34287 34608
34288 34609
34289 34610
34291 34613
34292 34614
34293 34637
34420 34638
34423 34639
34428 34652
34429 34653
34431 34654
34432 34655
34433 34661
34434 34667
34436 34668
34442 34669
34445 34677
34446 34679
34448 34681
34449 34683
34450 34684
34452 34685
34453 34688
34461 34689
34465 34690
34470 34691
34471 34695
34472 34698
34473 34705
34474 34711
34475 34714
34476 34715
34478 34729
34479 34731
34480 34734
34481 34736
34482 34737
34484 34739
34488 34741
34491 34743
34498 34744
34601 34746

34747
34748
34753
34756
34758
34759
34760
34761
34762
34769
34771
34772
34773
34785
34786
34787
34788
34797
34945
34946
34947
34949
34950
34951
34952
34953
34956
34957
34972
34974
34979
34981
34982
34983
34934
34985
34986
34987
34988
34990
34994
34996
34997