Florida Public Service Commission native order document 06759-2024

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FILED 6/20/2024
DOCUMENT NO. 06759-2024
FPSC - COMMISSION CLERK

BEFORE THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

In re: Petition for designation as an eligible DOCKET NO. 20240067-TP

telecommunications carrier in the State of ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0206-PAA-TP
Florida, by Global Connection Inc. of America || ISSUED: June 20, 2024
d/b/a STAND UP 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 (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

Global Connection Inc. of America d/b/a STAND UP WIRELESS (Global or Company)
filed a petition seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for the sole
purpose of providing Lifeline service to qualifying consumers throughout Florida. Global is a
provider of commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) and provides prepaid wireless
telecommunications services to consumers by using the underlying wireless network of T-
Mobile USA, Inc. (T-Mobile). Global is currently designated as an ETC providing Lifeline
service in 33 other states.

As a CMRS provider, Global is regulated as a common carrier pursuant to 47 U.S.C. §
153(11).! Global is a Georgia corporation that is owned 25 percent by Global Connection
Holdings Corporation (Global Holdings) and 75 percent by Odin Mobile, LLC (Odin Mobile).

' 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. . . .”); see also 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(1)(A) (treating commercial mobile
service providers as common carriers).

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0206-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240067-TP
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Global Holdings and Odin Mobile both operate as holding companies and do not provide
telecommunications services.
Global 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. Global
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, 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 statutes and rules already referenced, we have jurisdiction over 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. This Commission
initially exercised this authority to designate both wireline and wireless carriers as ETCs. In
2011, the Florida Legislature removed our authority to designate wireless ETC providers.2
However, the Florida Legislature amended Section 364.10, F.S., in 2024 to specifically grant this
Commission jurisdiction to address wireless ETC petitions for Lifeline purposes only.3
Decision
I. 	Requirements for ETC Designation
This Order addresses whether Global 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 this
Commission 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 CMRS
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, 54.201, 54.401. While 47 C.F.R. § 54.101(a) also includes
requirements addressing toll limitation services to qualifying low-income consumers, the Federal Communications
Commission 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-2024-0206-PAA-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
Global 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 Global’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 Global committed to do the following:
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.9
Because Global 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, Global 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 this Commission. This system helps assist ETCs and
this Commission in providing information on how to apply for Lifeline assistance to eligible customers.
9 47 C.F.R. § 54.202(a).

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III. 	Financial, Managerial, and Technical Capabilities
As noted in its petition, Global has offered service since 1998 and has not filed for any
form of bankruptcy relief. The Company has operated as an ETC in 33 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 Global will be providing resold wireless service, it will also rely upon the
managerial 	and 	technical 	expertise 	of 	its 	underlying 	carrier. 	Global 	resolved 	all 	FCC
enforcement proceedings in 2017.10 Thus we find that Global has the financial, managerial, and
technical capabilities to provide Lifeline service.
IV. 	Public Interest
State commissions are also required to find that ETC designation is in the public
interest.11 Global 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.12 However, this
Commission estimates that the 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
Global meets all the requirements for designation as an ETC. The Company has
demonstrated sufficient financial, managerial, and technical capabilities. We also find that
granting this ETC designation is in the public interest. Therefore Global will be granted an ETC
designation throughout the State of Florida as identified in Attachment A of this Order.
Based on the foregoing, it is
ORDERED by the Florida Public Service Commission that Global Connection Inc. of
America 	d/b/a 	STAND 	UP 	WIRELESS’ 	Petition 	for 	Designation 	as 	an 	Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier throughout the State of Florida is GRANTED. It is further
ORDERED that Global Connection Inc. of America d/b/a STAND UP 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 FCC, Order, FCC 17-175, Released December 29, 2017.
11 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(2).
12 2023 Florida Lifeline Assistance Report, December 2023, Appendix C, p 24.
13 Id. at 13.

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0206-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240067-TP
PAGES
ORDERED that if there is a future change in Global Connection Inc. of America d/b/a
STAND UP WIRELESS ' ownership, the new owners shall file a pelilion 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 28-106.201, 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 "No tice of Further Proceedings or Judicial Review" attached hereto. It is
further
CMM
ORDERED that in the event this Order becomes final, this docket shall be dosed.
By ORDER of the Florida Public Service Commission this 20th day of June, 2024.
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-2024-0206-PAA-TP
DOCKET NO. 20240067-TP
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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 or judicial review of Commission orders
that is available under Sections 120.57 or 120.68, 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 or judicial review 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, at 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 effective and final upon the
issuance of a Consummating Order.
Any objection or protest filed in this docket 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-2024-0206-PAA-TP DOCKET NO. 20240067-TP
ATTACHMENT A
PAGE 7
Tallahassee
Jacksonville
Panama City
Apalachicolale
Gainesville
Palm Coast
Daytona Beach
FLORIDA
Orlando
Lakeland
Palm Bay
Tampa
. Port Saint lucie
North Port
Cape Coral
Fort Lauderdale
Miami
Key West
5G Ultra Capacity
5G Extended Range
4G LTE
3G/2G
/ Partner
Partner Canada and Mexico
No coverage
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