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For Immediate Release:
November 16, 2023
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Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
Contact: Charley Bruce, 651-201-2251
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Public Utilities Commission makes decisions on LTD Broadband - gives Minnesotans more opportunity to weigh in
St. Paul, Minnesota —On Thursday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) suspended LTD Broadband, LLC’s status as an eligible telecommunication carrier (ETC) and referred the matter back to the administrative law judge (ALJ) for additional record development.
After reviewing recommendations by the Department of Commerce and the Office of the Attorney General and hearing from LTD, the Commission felt lifting the stay order and referring the matter back to the ALJ is necessary to ensure that Minnesota has an adequate opportunity to fully evaluate LTD’s capability to deliver on its commitments.
“These federal funds present a big opportunity to expand internet access in Minnesota and we need to know that those who receive the funding can deliver on their promises,” said Commissioner John Tuma. “I was not convinced by this record that LTD could deliver broadband service to Minnesotans and think that additional record development will help answer this important question.”
Additional information
In early 2021, LTD Broadband was a winning bidder to receive more than $311 million in federal funding to bring broadband internet service to over 100,000 locations in Minnesota. LTD was required to file an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) containing more detailed information about its plans to bring broadband service to Minnesota. As part of the review of LTD’s application, the FCC denied the company’s application making it ineligible to receive the funding, finding that LTD failed to demonstrate that it could deliver the promised service. LTD has petitioned the FCC to reconsider its ruling and is awaiting a decision.
About
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission regulates three cornerstone service industries in Minnesota's economy; electricity, natural gas and telephone. The Commission’s mission is to create and maintain a regulatory environment that ensures safe, adequate and efficient utility services at fair, reasonable rates consistent with State telecommunications and energy policies. It does so by providing independent, consistent, professional and comprehensive oversight and regulation of utility service providers. Learn more at mn.gov/puc
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