**Before the**

**Federal Communications Commission**

**Washington, D.C. 20554**

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| In the Matter of                 | *  | WC Docket No. 05-337         |
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| High-Cost Universal Service      | ** | CC Docket No. 96-45          |
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| Federal-State Joint Board on     | *) |                              |
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| Alltel Communications, Inc., *et | *  |                              |
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| Atlantic, Inc. New Hampshire ETC | *  |                              |
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**ORDER**

**Adopted: April 29, 2008**

**Released: May 1, 2008**

By the Commission: Chairman Martin and Commissioners Tate and McDowell
issuing separate statements; Commissioners Copps and Adelstein
dissenting and issuing separate statements.

# introduction

1.  In this Order, we take action to rein in the explosive growth in
    high-cost universal service support disbursements. As recommended by
    the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board), we
    adopt an interim, emergency cap on the amount of high-cost support
    that competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) may
    receive.[^1] Specifically, as of the effective date of this Order,
    total annual competitive ETC support for each state will be capped
    at the level of support that competitive ETCs in that state were
    eligible to receive during March 2008 on an annualized basis. We
    also adopt two limited exceptions from the specific application of
    the interim cap. First, a competitive ETC will not be subject to the
    interim cap to the extent it files cost data demonstrating that its
    costs meet the support threshold in the same manner as the incumbent
    local exchange carrier (LEC). Second, we adopt a limited exception
    for competitive ETCs serving tribal lands or Alaska Native regions.
    The interim cap will remain in place only until the Commission
    adopts comprehensive high-cost universal service reform.[^2] The
    Commission plans to move forward on adopting comprehensive reform
    measures in an expeditious manner. The Commission commits to
    completing a final order on comprehensive reform as quickly as
    feasible after the comment cycle is completed on the pending
    Commission Notices regarding comprehensive reform.[^3] Finally, we
    resolve most of the petitions for ETC designation currently pending
    before the Commission.[^4]

# background

2.  For the past several years, the Joint Board has been exploring
    recommending modifications to the Commission's high-cost universal
    service support rules. In 2002, the Commission asked the Joint Board
    to review certain of the Commission's rules related to the high-cost
    universal service support mechanisms.[^5] Among other things, the
    Commission asked the Joint Board to review the Commission's rules
    relating to high-cost universal service support in study areas in
    which a competitive ETC provides service.[^6] In response, the Joint
    Board made a number of recommendations concerning the designation of
    ETCs in high-cost areas, but declined to recommend that the
    Commission modify the basis of support (i.e*.*, the methodology used
    to calculate support) in study areas with multiple ETCs.[^7]
    Instead, the Joint Board recommended that it and the Commission
    continue to consider possible modifications to the basis of support
    for competitive ETCs as part of an overall review of the high-cost
    support mechanisms for rural and non-rural carriers.[^8]

3.  In 2004, the Commission asked the Joint Board to review the
    Commission's rules relating to the high-cost universal service
    support mechanisms for rural carriers and to determine the
    appropriate rural mechanism to succeed the plan adopted in the
    *Rural Task Force Order*.[^9] In August 2004, the Joint Board sought
    comment on issues the Commission referred to it related to the
    high-cost universal service support mechanisms for rural
    carriers.[^10] The Joint Board also specifically sought comment on
    the methodology for calculating support for ETCs in competitive
    study areas.[^11] Since that time, the Joint Board has sought
    comment on a variety of specific proposals for addressing the issues
    of universal service support for rural carriers and the basis of
    support for competitive ETCs, including proposals developed by
    members and staff of the Joint Board, as well as the use of reverse
    auctions (competitive bidding) to determine high-cost universal
    service funding to ETCs.[^12]

4.  On May 1, 2007, the Joint Board recommended that the Commission
    adopt an interim cap on high-cost universal service support for
    competitive ETCs while the Joint Board considered proposals for
    comprehensive reform.[^13] Specifically, the Joint Board recommended
    that the Commission cap competitive ETC support at the amount of
    support received by competitive ETCs in 2006.[^14] The Joint Board
    recommended that the cap on competitive ETC support be applied at
    the state level.[^15] Finally, the Joint Board recommended that the
    interim cap apply until one year from the date that the Joint Board
    makes its recommendation regarding high-cost universal service
    reform.[^16] On May 14, 2007, the Commission released a Notice of
    Proposed Rulemaking, seeking comment on the Joint Board's
    recommendation.[^17] On November 19, 2007, the Joint Board submitted
    to the Commission recommendations for comprehensive reform of
    high-cost universal service support.[^18] On January 29, 2008, the
    Commission released three notices of proposed rulemaking addressing
    proposals for comprehensive reform of the high-cost universal
    service support program.[^19] Comments on the *Reform Notices* were
    due by April 17, 2008 and reply comments are due by May 19,
    2008.[^20]

# Discussion

5.  We adopt, with limited modifications, the Joint Board's
    recommendation for an emergency, interim cap on high-cost support
    for competitive ETCs.[^21] This action is necessary to halt the
    rapid growth of high-cost support that threatens the sustainability
    of the universal service fund. As described below, annual support
    for competitive ETCs in each state will be capped at the level of
    support that competitive ETCs in that state were eligible to receive
    during March 2008, on an annualized basis. As further discussed
    below, we also create a limited exception to the cap to allow
    competitive ETCs that serve tribal lands or Alaska Native regions to
    continue to receive support at uncapped levels.[^22]

## Need for a Cap on Competitive ETC Support

### A Cap on Competitive ETC Support is Required to Preserve the Sustainability and Sufficiency of Universal Service

6.  We agree with the Joint Board's assessment that the rapid growth in
    high-cost support places the federal universal service fund in dire
    jeopardy. In 2007, the universal service fund provided approximately
    \$4.3 billion per year in high-cost support.[^23] In contrast, in
    2001, high-cost universal service support totaled approximately
    \$2.6 billion.[^24] In recent years, this growth has been due to
    increased support provided to competitive ETCs, which receive
    high-cost support based on the per-line support that the incumbent
    LECs receive, rather than on the competitive ETCs' own costs. While
    support to incumbent LECs has been flat since 2003,[^25] competitive
    ETC support, in the seven years from 2001 through 2007, has grown
    from under \$17 million to \$1.18 billion -- an average annual
    growth rate of over 100 percent.[^26] We find that the continued
    growth of the fund at this rate is not sustainable and would require
    excessive (and ever growing) contributions from consumers to pay for
    this fund growth. [^27]

7.  We conclude that immediate action must be taken to stem the dramatic
    growth in high-cost support. Therefore, as recommended by the Joint
    Board, we immediately impose an interim cap on high-cost support
    provided to competitive ETCs until fundamental comprehensive reforms
    are adopted to address issues related to the distribution of support
    and to ensure that the universal service fund will be sustainable
    for future years. [^28] The interim cap that we adopt herein limits
    the annual amount of high-cost support that competitive ETCs can
    receive in the interim period for each state to the amount
    competitive ETCs were eligible to receive in that state during March
    2008, on an annualized basis.

8.  We find that adopting an interim cap is consistent with the
    requirement of section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934, as
    amended (the Act), that support be "sufficient" to meet the Act's
    universal service purposes.[^29] The Commission previously has
    concluded that the statutory principle of "sufficiency" proscribes
    support in excess of that necessary to achieve the Act's universal
    service goals.[^30] Notably, the Commission has previously adopted
    cost controls, including adopting an indexed cap on the high-cost
    loop support mechanism, which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
    Fifth Circuit held to be consistent with the Act's universal service
    mandate.[^31]

9.  Similarly, our action today applies interim cost controls to the
    aspect that most directly threatens the specificity, predictability,
    and sustainability of the fund: the rapid growth of competitive ETC
    support.[^32] A primary consequence of the existing competitive ETC
    support rules has been to promote the sale of multiple supported
    wireless handsets in given households.[^33] We do not today make a
    final determination regarding the level of support to competitive
    ETCs that is sufficient, but not excessive, for achieving the Act's
    universal service goals because we expect to take further action to
    enact fundamental reform.[^34] Instead, today we take the
    reasonable, interim step of capping annual competitive ETC support
    for each state at the amount competitive ETCs in that state were
    eligible to receive during March 2008 on an annualized basis. Doing
    so will provide a necessary constraint on the growth of support
    until comprehensive reform is adopted.

10. We do not find it necessary to adopt additional caps on support
    provided to incumbent LECs at this time because, as the Joint Board
    noted in its *Recommended Decision*, high-cost support to incumbent
    LECs has been flat and is therefore exerting less pressure on the
    universal service fund.[^35] Moreover, incumbent LEC high-cost loop
    support is already capped, and incumbent LEC interstate access
    support is subject to a targeted limit.[^36] Incumbent LEC
    disbursements from other support mechanisms, like local switching
    support and interstate common line support, have been stable in
    recent years.[^37] Further, although high-cost model support has no
    actual cap, it does have built-in restraints on growth, which derive
    from the fact that support is based on stable statewide average
    estimated costs. Accordingly, we limit the interim cap we adopt
    today to high-cost support provided to competitive ETCs.

11. Some parties argue that inefficiencies in high-cost support for
    incumbent LECs are the root cause of the high-cost support growth,
    and that the Commission must address these inefficiencies to
    stabilize the fund.[^38] Although addressing inefficiencies in
    incumbent LEC support may be necessary for comprehensive reform, we
    disagree that such review of incumbent LEC support is necessary
    immediately to rein in the growth of high-cost support for an
    interim period. First, as we have noted, total incumbent LEC support
    has not grown in recent years and does not have the same potential
    for rapid explosive growth competitive ETC support does. Second,
    although increases in incumbent LEC high-cost support may contribute
    indirectly to growth in high-cost support for competitive ETCs, the
    interim cap on competitive ETC support we adopt today will eliminate
    that growth potential.[^39] To the extent that there may be
    inefficiencies in incumbent LEC high-cost support, we anticipate
    addressing those in the context of comprehensive universal service
    reform.

### An Interim Cap on Competitive ETC Support Is Consistent With the Act 

12. We disagree with arguments that capping support for competitive ETCs
    violates the Act. As a general matter, the Commission's discretion
    to establish caps on high-cost support has been upheld.[^40]
    Moreover, as we discuss further below, we find no merit in the
    arguments raised by commenters in this proceeding that this
    particular cap violates the Act.

13. We disagree with comments that this cap violates the Act's statutory
    principles. CTIA argues that the cap would violate the Act's
    requirements that rates in rural areas should be reasonably
    comparable to those in urban areas.[^41] CTIA, however, fails to
    provide any data demonstrating that, or analysis explaining why the
    cap would result in rural rates that are not comparable with those
    in urban areas. Instead, it merely asserts that "\[t\]he proposed
    cap will deny customers access to reasonably equivalent rates, and
    to reasonably equivalent services."[^42] There simply is no support
    in the record for this contention. To the contrary, many wireless
    carriers that do not receive high-cost support compete against
    wireless competitive ETCs that do receive support, and many wireless
    competitive ETCs served high-cost territories before they were
    designated as eligible to receive support.

14. CTIA, along with Dobson, also contends that the cap violates the
    universal service principle of sufficiency.[^43] Neither commenter,
    however, provides any support for its contentions. To the contrary,
    as we explain above, we believe that the statutory principle of
    sufficiency is not inconsistent with the interim "cost controls" we
    adopt herein.[^44] We find that the interim cap we adopt is
    consistent with the principle of sufficiency as defined by the court
    in *Alenco* because it seeks to eliminate support in excess of that
    necessary to ensure the Act's universal service goals.[^45] Further,
    because competitive ETC support is based on the incumbent LEC's
    costs, rather than on the competitive ETC's own costs, there is no
    reason to believe -- and no record data showing -- that support
    subject to an interim cap would necessarily result in insufficient
    support levels.[^46] Dobson also argues that the cap will violate
    the universal service principle of predictability because the
    effects of the cap "will be driven by factors that are not at all
    'predictable'."[^47] Adoption of the interim cap, however, makes
    competitive ETC support more predictable, in that it sets an upper,
    definitive bound on the amount of support available in a state.
    Moreover, Dobson ignores the fact that, as the court concluded in
    *Alenco*, the Act's requirement of predictability requires only that
    the rules governing distribution, not the resulting funding amounts,
    must be predictable.[^48]

15. We are not persuaded by CTIA's argument, citing *Alenco*, that the
    Act requires the promotion of competition in high-cost areas through
    the provision of equal per-line support amounts to all
    carriers.[^49] Rather than requiring the use of universal service
    support to subsidize competition, the court in *Alenco* was
    concerned with the sustainability of universal service in a
    competitive environment. Specifically, the court found that "\[t\]he
    Commission therefore is responsible for making the changes necessary
    to its universal service program to ensure that it survives in the
    new world of competition."[^50] The court stated that the Commission
    "must see to it that *both* universal service and competition are
    realized; one cannot be sacrificed in favor of the other."[^51] We
    therefore find that our action today is not only consistent with,
    but is supported by, the court's holding in *Alenco*.

16. Similarly, we are not persuaded by Alltel's argument that
    competitive ETCs and incumbent LECs must receive the same amount of
    support on a per-line basis.[^52] Although Alltel correctly notes
    that, in upholding the cap on high-cost loop support, the court in
    *Alenco* "rejected the premise that \[incumbent LEC\] revenue flows
    must be protected at all costs, and thus that any reductions in
    disbursements needed to prevent undue fund growth must be borne by
    \[competitive ETCs\] rather than \[incumbent LECs\],"[^53] Alltel
    fails to explain why the court's holding requires equal per-line
    support for all competitors. Put simply, while the court rejected
    the idea that any reductions in disbursements necessary to curtail
    fund growth had to be borne by competitive ETCs and not incumbent
    LECs, the court did not prohibit the Commission from imposing
    reductions or limits on competitive ETC disbursements.[^54]

17. CTIA argues that adoption of the interim cap would not comport with
    the court's statement in *Alenco* that "the program must treat all
    market participants equally . . . so that the market, and not local
    or federal government regulators, determines who shall compete for
    and deliver service to customers."[^55] The cited language, however,
    does not require the Commission to continue to provide identical
    levels of support to all carriers. It merely requires that all ETCs
    must be eligible to receive support, an unremarkable conclusion
    given the plain text of the statute.[^56]

18. Alltel and CTIA both ignore key aspects of *Alenco*, in which the
    court expressly found that the Commission must ensure that all
    *customers* be able to receive affordable basic telecommunications
    services.

> Competition necessarily brings the risk that some telephone service
> providers will be unable to compete. The Act only promises universal
> service, and that is a goal that requires sufficient funding of
> *customers,* not *providers*. So long as there is sufficient and
> competitively-neutral funding to enable all customers to receive basic
> telecommunications services, the FCC has satisfied the Act and is not
> further required to ensure sufficient funding of every local telephone
> provider as well. Moreover, excessive funding may itself violate the
> sufficiency requirements of the Act.[^57]

Nowhere in the court's decision did it require that all *providers* must
receive equal per-line support amounts.

19. In arguing that the interim cap would not comport with the identical
    support rule because it would disburse unequal support per line,
    Alltel also cites various Commission precedents related to the
    establishment and implementation of the identical support rule,
    which, at the time, the Commission found to be consistent with its
    principle of competitive neutrality.[^58] In justifying this
    portability requirement, both the Joint Board and Commission made
    clear that they envisioned that competitive ETCs would compete
    directly against incumbent LECs and try to take existing customers
    from them. [^59] The predictions of the Joint Board and the
    Commission have proven inaccurate, however.

20. First, they did not foresee that competitive ETCs might offer
    supported services that were not viewed by consumers as substitutes
    for the incumbent LEC's supported service.[^60] Second, wireless
    carriers, rather than wireline competitive LECs, have received a
    majority of competitive ETC designations, serve a majority of
    competitive ETC lines, and have received a majority of competitive
    ETC support.[^61] These wireless competitive ETCs do not capture
    lines from the incumbent LEC to become a customer's sole service
    provider, except in a small portion of households.[^62] Thus, rather
    than providing a complete substitute for traditional wireline
    service, these wireless competitive ETCs largely provide mobile
    wireless telephony service in addition to a customer's existing
    wireline service.[^63]

21. This has created a number of serious problems for the high-cost
    fund, and calls into question the rationale for the identical
    support rule. Instead of competitive ETCs competing against the
    incumbent LECs for a relatively fixed number of subscriber lines,
    the certification of wireless competitive ETCs has led to
    significant increases in the total number of supported lines.[^64]
    Because the majority of households do not view wireline and wireless
    services to be direct substitutes,[^65] many households subscribe to
    both services and receive support for multiple lines, which has led
    to a rapid increase in the size of the fund.[^66] In addition, the
    identical support rule fails to create efficient investment
    incentives for competitive ETCs. Because a competitive ETC's
    per-line support is based solely on the per-line support received by
    the incumbent LEC, rather than its own network investments in an
    area, the competitive ETC has little incentive to invest in, or
    expand, its own facilities in areas with low population densities,
    thereby contravening the Act's universal service goal of improving
    the access to telecommunications services in rural, insular and
    high-cost areas.[^67] Instead, competitive ETCs have a greater
    incentive to expand the number of subscribers, particularly those
    located in the lower-cost parts of high-cost areas, rather than to
    expand the geographic scope of their network. The Commission is
    currently considering eliminating the identical support rule.[^68]

22. We also find that the Commission's universal service principle of
    competitive neutrality does not preclude us from adopting an
    interim, limited cap under existing circumstances.[^69] As discussed
    above, high-cost support has increased by \$1.7 billion -- more than
    65 percent -- from 2001 to 2007.[^70] Continued growth at this rate
    would render the amount of high-cost support unsustainable and could
    cripple the universal service fund. To avert this crisis, it is
    necessary to place some temporary restraints on the fastest-growing
    portion of high-cost support, i.e., competitive ETC support.
    Moreover, as discussed above, it is not clear that identical support
    has, in reality, resulted in competitive neutrality. We therefore
    find that, rather than departing from the principle of competitive
    neutrality, as a matter of policy, we instead are temporarily
    prioritizing the immediate need to stabilize high-cost universal
    service support and ensure a specific, predictable, and sufficient
    fund.[^71]

23. Finally, we reject arguments that the cap should not be adopted
    because it will not be truly interim in nature.[^72] The interim cap
    will remain in place only until the Commission adopts comprehensive,
    high-cost universal service reform.[^73] Thus, we are satisfied that
    the interim cap's life will be of limited duration.

### Cap on Competitive ETC Support Would Not Inhibit Broadband Deployment in Rural America

24. Several commenters argue that the interim cap on competitive ETC
    support will inhibit the deployment of broadband services.[^74] With
    the exception of GCI, these commenters provide only anecdotal
    evidence of the possible effect of the interim cap on particular
    deployments, and do not systematically analyze the effect of the
    interim cap on broadband deployment.[^75] Moreover, although
    high-cost support for rural incumbent LECs has been capped for many
    years, that does not appear to have inhibited the deployment of
    broadband service to areas served by rural incumbent LECs.[^76]
    Indeed, high-cost universal service support may be used to invest in
    facilities to provide broadband service if those facilities are also
    necessary to provide voice grade access.[^77]

25. In light of the foregoing, we decline to adopt specific requirements
    for competitive ETCs regarding the provision of broadband Internet
    access services. Rather, we find that the role of high-cost support
    mechanisms in promoting broadband deployment is better addressed in
    a rulemaking of general applicability. In fact, the Commission
    currently is considering proposals to provide high-cost support for
    broadband service.[^78]

## Design and Implementation of the Cap

### Operation of the Cap

26. We adopt a cap on competitive ETC support for each state, as
    recommended by the Joint Board, subject to two limited exceptions
    described below.[^79] A competitive ETC cap applied at a state level
    will effectively curb growth, but, given a state's role in
    designating ETCs, will allow a state the flexibility to direct
    competitive ETC support to the areas in the state that it determines
    are most in need of such support.[^80] An interim, state-based cap
    on competitive ETC support also will avoid creating an incentive for
    each state to designate as many new ETCs as possible for the sole
    purpose of increasing support to that state at the expense of other
    states, which could occur had we adopted a single, nationwide cap. A
    state-based cap will require newly-designated competitive ETCs to
    share funding with other competitive ETCs within the state.

27. Under the state-based cap, support will be calculated using a
    two-step approach. First, on a quarterly basis, the Universal
    Service Administrative Company (USAC) will calculate the support
    each competitive ETC would have received under the existing
    (uncapped) per-line identical support rule,[^81] and sum these
    amounts by state. Second, USAC will calculate a state reduction
    factor to reduce this amount to the competitive ETC cap amount.
    Specifically, USAC will compare the total amount of uncapped support
    to the cap amount for each state. Where the total state uncapped
    support is greater than the available state cap support amount, USAC
    will divide the state cap support amount by the total state uncapped
    amount to yield the state reduction factor. USAC will then apply the
    state-specific reduction factor to the uncapped amount for each
    competitive ETC within the state to arrive at the capped level of
    high-cost support. Where the state uncapped support is less than the
    available state capped support amount, no reduction will be
    required.

28. For example, if, in State A, the capped amount is \$90 million, and
    the total uncapped support is \$130 million, the reduction factor
    would be 69.2 percent (\$90/\$130). In State A, each competitive
    ETC's uncapped support would be multiplied by 69.2 percent to reduce
    support to the capped amount. If, in State B, however, the capped
    amount is \$100 million, and the total uncapped support is \$95
    million, there would be no reduction factor because the uncapped
    amount is less than the capped amount. Finally, if, in State C the
    base period capped amount is \$0 (i.e., there were no competitive
    ETCs eligible to receive support in State C in March 2008), then no
    competitive ETCs would be eligible to receive support in that state
    during the interim cap. Each quarter, for the duration of the cap, a
    new reduction factor would be calculated for each state.

29. Some commenters argue that, in states where there currently are no
    competitive ETCs designated, subsequently designated competitive
    ETCs will receive no high-cost support while the interim cap remains
    in place.[^82] The Act does not, however, require that all ETCs must
    receive support, but rather only that carriers meeting certain
    requirements be *eligible* for support.[^83] Section 214(e)(1) of
    the Act states, "A common carrier designated as an eligible
    telecommunications carrier . . . shall be *eligible* to receive
    universal service support in accordance with section 254\[.\]"[^84]
    Likewise, section 254(e) of the Act states, "\[O\]nly an eligible
    telecommunications carrier designated under section 214(e) shall be
    *eligible* to receive specific Federal universal service
    support."[^85] This language indicates that designation as an ETC
    does not automatically entitle a carrier to receive universal
    service support.[^86] Moreover, in section 254 of the Act, Congress
    distinguished between those who are merely "eligible" to receive
    support and those who are "entitled" to receive benefits.[^87] We
    find that Congress's careful delineation demonstrates an intention
    to ascribe different statutory rights. Accordingly, even if
    imposition of the interim cap results in no support for some
    competitive ETCs, this result is not inconsistent with the Act.[^88]

30. Moreover, there are advantages to obtaining and maintaining an ETC
    designation regardless of whether a competitive ETC receives
    high-cost support. In particular, the ability of competitive ETCs to
    receive low-income universal service support shows value in
    obtaining and maintaining ETC designation separate and apart from
    high-cost support. Indeed, TracFone Wireless, Inc. (TracFone) sought
    forbearance from section 214(e)(1) of the Act so that it could seek
    designation as an ETC eligible only to receive universal service
    Lifeline support.[^89] TracFone took this step because "offering
    prepaid plans which make wireless service available to low income
    users . . . has been a critical component of TracFone's business
    strategy since the company's inception."[^90] Other ETCs may have
    similar business strategies. Further, by offering Lifeline and Link
    Up service, a competitive ETC may attract new subscribers that may
    not otherwise have taken telephone service.[^91] This would increase
    a competitive ETC's base of subscribers and, consequently, lower its
    average cost of serving all of its subscribers. Moreover,
    competitive ETCs may be eligible for separate universal service
    support at the state level.[^92]

31. We adopt two limited exceptions to the operation of the interim
    cap.[^93] First, consistent with the *ALLTEL-Atlantis Order* and the
    *AT&T-Dobson Order*, we find it in the public interest to adopt a
    limited exception to the interim cap if a competitive ETC submits
    its own costs.[^94] Specifically, a competitive ETC will not be
    subject to the interim cap to the extent that it files cost data
    demonstrating that its costs meet the support threshold in the same
    manner as the incumbent LEC.

32. Second, we also adopt a limited exception to the interim cap for
    competitive ETCs that serve tribal lands or Alaska Native regions
    (the Covered Locations).[^95] We permit competitive ETCs serving
    Covered Locations to continue to receive uncapped high-cost support
    for lines served in those Covered Locations. Because many tribal
    lands have low penetration rates for basic telephone service, we do
    not believe that competitive ETCs are merely providing complementary
    services in most tribal lands, as they do generally.[^96]

33. Participation in this limited exception to the interim cap is
    voluntary and will be elected by the competitive ETC on a study area
    by study area basis. Therefore, any competitive ETC that does not or
    cannot opt into the limited exception, or that does not or cannot
    opt into the limited exception for a particular Covered Location,
    will remain subject to the interim cap as described herein. Support
    for competitive ETCs that do opt into the limited exception will
    continue to be provided pursuant to section 54.307 of the
    Commission's rules, except that the uncapped per line support is
    limited to one payment per each residential account.[^97] If a
    competitive ETC serves lines in both Covered Locations and
    non-Covered Locations (or only Covered Locations), the universal
    service administrator shall determine the amount of additional
    support -- after application of the interim cap -- necessary to
    ensure that a competitive ETC receives the same per-line support
    amount as the incumbent LEC for the lines qualifying for the
    exception.[^98]

34. Finally compliance with the terms of this limited exception will be
    verified through certification and reporting requirements.[^99]
    Specifically, a competitive ETC seeking to receive high-cost support
    pursuant to this limited exception must certify the number of lines
    that meet the limited exception requirements.[^100] The competitive
    ETC also must provide a specific description of how it confirmed
    that it had met the certification threshold.[^101]

35. Even with the total amount of support provided to competitive ETCs
    being capped, continued growth in competitive ETC lines would have
    the effect of reducing the amount of interstate access support (IAS)
    received by incumbent LECs, due to the operation of the formula for
    calculating IAS.[^102] To prevent the implementation of the interim
    cap on competitive ETC support from having this unintended
    consequence on incumbent LEC support, we find it necessary to adjust
    the calculation of IAS for both incumbent LECs and competitive ETCs.
    Accordingly, we divide IAS into separate pools for incumbent LECs
    and competitive ETCs and separately cap the amount of IAS support
    for both types of carriers.[^103] The annual amount of IAS available
    for incumbent LECs shall be set at the amount of IAS that incumbent
    LECs were eligible to receive in March 2008 on an annual
    basis.[^104] This amount shall be indexed annually for line growth
    or loss by price cap incumbent LECs.[^105] The annual amount of IAS
    available for competitive ETCs shall be set at the amount of IAS
    that competitive ETCs were eligible to receive in March 2008 on an
    annual basis.[^106] Subject to these constraints, we direct USAC to
    calculate and distribute IAS for each pool to eligible carriers
    consistent with the existing IAS rules.[^107]

### Length of Time

36. In light of the harm to the sustainability of the universal service
    fund posed by the dramatic growth of support to competitive ETCs, we
    find that the cap we adopt today should become effective as soon as
    possible.[^108] The cap will, therefore, commence as of the
    effective date of this Order.

37. We emphasize that the cap on competitive ETC support that we adopt
    here is only an interim measure to slow the current explosion of
    high-cost universal service support while the Commission considers
    further reform. We remain committed to comprehensive reform of the
    high-cost universal service support mechanisms. The Commission has
    three outstanding rulemaking proceedings that consider comprehensive
    reform of high-cost universal service support.[^109] The Commission
    plans to move forward on adopting comprehensive reform measures in
    an expeditious manner. The Commission commits to completing a final
    order on comprehensive reform as quickly as feasible after the
    comment cycle is completed on the pending *Reform Notices*.[^110] We
    therefore do not believe that a fixed sunset date, as proposed by
    some commenters, is necessary or provides additional benefit.[^111]

### Base Period for the Cap

38. Although we adopt the Joint Board's recommendation that the cap on
    competitive ETC support be set at the level of competitive ETC
    support actually distributed in each state, rather than set such a
    cap at the level of support actually distributed in 2006, we find it
    is more appropriate to set such a cap at the level of support
    competitive ETCs were eligible to receive during March 2008 on an
    annualized basis. Specifically, for each state, the annual interim
    cap shall be set at twelve times the level of support that all
    competitive ETCs were eligible to receive in that state for the
    month of March 2008. Using March 2008 data allows use of more recent
    actual support amounts than 2006. Use of March 2008 as the base
    period, moreover, will ensure that funding levels will not undermine
    the expectations underlying competitive ETC investment decisions or
    result in immediate funding reductions.[^112] Further, consistent
    with our decision to cap competitive ETC support on an interim
    basis, we find it inappropriate and counterproductive to index the
    cap to a growth factor.

39. Although the interim cap that we adopt today applies only to the
    amount of support available to competitive ETCs, it does not
    restrict the number of competitive ETCs that may receive support. In
    fact, as part of this Order, we grant, to the extent described in
    Appendix B, numerous applications for ETC designation currently
    pending before the Commission. As described in more detail in
    Appendix B, we find that the applicants have met the Commission's
    requirements for designation. We also amend an ETC designation as
    described in Appendix C. These designations, however, do not affect
    the amount of support available to competitive ETCs, which is
    limited by the interim cap we adopt in this Order.

# Procedural Matters

## Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

40. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, the
    Commission has prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
    ("FRFA") of the possible significant economic impact on small
    entities of the policies and rules addressed in this Order.[^113]
    The FRFA is set forth in Appendix D.

## Paperwork Reduction Act Analysis

41. This document contains new information collection requirements
    subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).[^114]  It will
    be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review
    under section 3507(d) of the PRA.  OMB, the general public, and
    other federal agencies are invited to comment on the new information
    collection requirements contained in this proceeding.  In addition,
    we note that, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of
    2002, we previously sought specific comment on how the Commission
    might "further reduce the information collection burden for small
    business concerns with fewer than 25 employees."[^115]

42. In this present document, we have assessed the effects of
    demonstrating compliance with the exception to the interim cap, and
    find that there may be an increased administrative burden on
    businesses with fewer than 25 employees. We have taken steps to
    minimize the information collection burden for small business
    concerns, including those with fewer than 25 employees. First, we
    note that compliance with the exception is voluntary -- small
    business concerns are not required to comply with the information
    collection. In addition, compliance with the exception will be
    elected by carriers on a study area by study area basis. Carriers
    need only provide additional information on the study areas for
    which they elect to rely on the exception to the interim cap.

## Congressional Review Act

43. The Commission will send a copy of this Order in a report to be sent
    to Congress and the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the
    Congressional Review Act.[^116]

# Ordering Clauses

44. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to the authority contained in
    sections 1-4, 201-205, 214, 218-220, 254, 303(r), 403, 405, and 410
    of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 151-154,
    201-205, 214, 218-220, 254, 303(r), 403, 405, and 410, that this
    Order in CC Docket No. 96-45 and WC Docket No. 05-337 IS ADOPTED.

45. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to the authority contained in
    section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(6),
    the petitions for eligible telecommunications carrier designation as
    set forth in Appendix B ARE GRANTED, DENIED, OR DISMISSED WITHOUT
    PREJUDICE to the extent described therein and, pursuant to section
    1.103(a) of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.103(a), SHALL BE
    effective thirty days after publication in the Federal Register,
    except where redefined service areas require the agreement of a
    state commission as described therein.

46. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to the authority contained in
    section 214(e)(5) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(5),
    and sections 54.207(d) and (e) of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.
    §§ 54.207(d) and (e), the requests to redefine the service areas of
    the rural telephone companies described in Appendix B, ARE GRANTED,
    DENIED, or GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART to the extent
    described therein and SUBJECT TO the agreement of the relevant state
    commissions with the Commission's redefinition of the relevant
    service areas, if not previously redefined as described therein.

47. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this order SHALL BE transmitted
    by the Office of the Secretary to the relevant state commissions and
    the Universal Service Administrative Company.

48. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the petitioners set forth in Appendix B
    SHALL SUBMIT additional information pursuant to sections 54.202(a)
    of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.§§ 54.202(a).

49. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that NEP Cellcorp, Inc.'s Motion to Strike IS
    DISMISSED AS MOOT as described in Appendix B.

50. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to the authority contained in
    section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(6),
    RCC Minnesota, Inc. and RCC Atlantic, Inc.'s ETC designation in New
    Hampshire is amended as set forth in Appendix C.

51. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Commission's Consumer and
    Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, SHALL
    SEND a copy of this Order, including the Final Regulatory
    Flexibility Analysis, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
    Business Administration.

52. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that this Order SHALL BE EFFECTIVE thirty
    days after publication in the Federal Register.

    FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

    Marlene H. Dortch

    Secretary

    **APPENDIX A**

    **List of Commenters**

    [Initial Comments]{.underline}

[Commenter]{.underline} [Abbreviation]{.underline}

Alaska Telephone Association ATA

Alexicon Telecommunications Consulting Alexicon

Alltel Communications, Inc. Alltel

AT&T Inc. AT&T

Blackfoot Telecommunications Group Blackfoot

California Public Utilities Commission CPUC

Centennial Communications Corp. Centennial

CenturyTel, Inc. CenturyTel

Chinook Wireless

MTPCS, LLC d/b/a Chinook Chinook Wireless

Comcast Corporation Comcast

COMPTEL COMPTEL

ComspanUSA ComspanUSA

Corporation Commission of the State of Kansas KCC

Corr Wireless Communications, LLC Corr

CTIA -- The Wireless Association® CTIA

DialToneServices, L.P. DialToneServices

Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc. Dobson

Embarq Corporation Embarq

ETS Telephone Company, Inc.

f/k/a Kingsgate Telephone, Inc. ETS

Fred Williamson and Associates Fred Williamson & Associates

Frontier Communications Frontier

General Communication, Inc. GCI

GVNW Consulting, Inc. GVNW

Idaho Public Utilities Commission IPUC

Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alliance ITTA

Iowa Telecommunications Association Iowa Telecommunications Ass'n

Iowa Utilities Board IUB

Corporation Commission of the State of Kansas Kansas State Corporation
Comm\'n

Maine Public Utilities Commission MPUC

Midcontinent Communications Midcontinent

Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative, Inc. MRTC

Minnesota Independent Coalition MIC

Montana Public Service Commission MTPSC

Montana Telecommunications Association MTA

National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates NASUCA

National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. NECA

National Telecommunications Cooperative Association NTCA

Navajo Nation Telecommunications Regulatory

Commission NNTRC

Nebraska Public Service Commission NPSC

Nebraska Rural Independent Telephone Companies

and South Dakota Telecommunications Association Nebraska Rural
Independent Cos and South Dakota Telecommunications Ass'n

New Jersey Board of Public Utilities New Jersey Board of Public
Utilities

New York State Department of Public Service New York Department of
Public Service

Organization for the Promotion and Advancement

of Small Telecommunications Companies OPASTCO

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Ohio Commission

Rural Cellular Association and the

Alliance of Rural CMRS Carriers Rural Cellular Ass\'n and Alliance of
Rural CMRS Carriers

Rural Independent Competitive Alliance RICA

Rural Iowa Independent Telephone Association Rural Iowa Independent
Telephone Ass'n

Rural Telecommunications Group, Inc. Rural Telecommunications Group

Small Company Committee of the Louisiana

Telecommunications Association

(Louisiana Rural Telephone Companies) Small Company Committee of the
Louisiana Telecommunications Ass'n

South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff South Carolina Office of
Regulatory Staff

Southern Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a

SouthernLINC Wireless SouthernLINC

Sprint Nextel Corporation Sprint Nextel

State Independent Telephone Association of Kansas

and Independent Telecommunications Group State Independent Telephone
Ass'n of Kansas and Independent Telecommunications Group

SureWest Communications SureWest

TCA, Inc. -- Telcom Consulting Associates TCA

TDS Telecommunications Corp. TDS

Telecommunications Association of Michigan TAMI

Telephone Association of Maine Telephone Ass'n of Maine

Tennessee Telecommunications Association Tennessee Telecommunications
Ass'n

Texas Statewide Telephone Cooperative, Inc. Texas Statewide Telephone
Cooperative, Inc.

Totah Communications, Inc.

FairPoint Communications (formerly

Chouteau Telephone Company)

Pine Telephone Company, Inc.

Pine Cellular Phones, Inc.

Grand Telephone Company, Inc. Totah Communications, Inc. et al.

TracFone Wireless, Inc. TracFone

Unicom, Inc. Unicom

United States Cellular Corporation and

Rural Cellular Corporation US Cellular and Rural Cellular Corp.

United States Telecom Association USTelecom

Valley Telephone Cooperative, Inc. Valley Telephone Cooperative

Verizon and Verizon Wireless Verizon and Verizon Wireless

Western Telecommunications Alliance Western Telecommunications Alliance

Windstream Communications, Inc. Windstream

Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association Wisconsin State
Telecommunications Ass'n

[Reply Comments]{.underline}

[Commenter]{.underline} [Abbreviation]{.underline}

Alaska Telephone Association ATA

Alltel Communications, Inc. Alltel

Arizona Corporation Commission Arizona Commission

CTIA -- The Wireless Association CTIA

DialToneServices, L.P. DialToneServices

Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc. Dobson

Embarq Corporation Embarq

Five State Members of the Mid-Atlantic Conference

of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Five MACRUC States

Florida Public Service Commission FPSC

Fred Williamson and Associates, Inc. Fred Williamson & Associates

General Communication, Inc. GCI

Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. Golden West

GVNW Consulting, Inc. GVNW

Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alliance ITTA

Missouri RSA No. 5 Partnership d/b/a

Chariton Valley Wireless Services and

Panhandle Telecommunication Systems, Inc. Chariton

Montana Telecommunications Association MTA

National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates NASUCA

National Telecommunications Cooperative Association NTCA

Nebraska Rural Independent Telephone Companies

and South Dakota Telecommunications Association Nebraska Rural
Independent Cos and South Dakota Telecommunications Ass'n

New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel NJ Rate Counsel

New York State Telecommunications Association, Inc. NYSTA

Ohio Telecom Association OTA

Oregon Telecommunications Association Small Company

Committee and Washington Independent Telephone

Association WITA

Organization for the Promotion and Advancement

of Small Telecommunications Companies OPASTCO

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission PaPUC

Qwest Communications International Inc. Qwest

Rural Cellular Association and the

Alliance of Rural CMRS Carriers Rural Cellular Ass\'n and Alliance of
Rural CMRS Carriers

Rural Iowa Independent Telephone Association Rural Iowa Independent
Telephone Ass'n

Scott Wallsten, Sr. Fellow and Director of Communications

Policy Studies at the Progress & Freedom Foundation Wallsten

Small Company Committee of the Louisiana

Telecommunications Association

(Louisiana Rural Telephone Companies) Small Company Committee of the
Louisiana Telecommunications Ass'n

South Carolina Telephone Coalition SCTC

Southern Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a

SouthernLINC Wireless SouthernLINC

Sprint Nextel Corporation Sprint Nextel

State Independent Telephone Association of Kansas

and Independent Telecommunications Group State Independent Telephone
Ass'n of Kansas and Independent Telecommunications Group

SureWest Communications SureWest

TDS Telecommunications Corp. TDS

Texas Statewide Telephone Cooperative, Inc. Texas Statewide Telephone
Cooperative, Inc.

T-Mobile U.S.A., Inc. T-Mobile

Totah Communications, Inc.

FairPoint Communications (formerly

Chouteau Telephone Company)

Pine Telephone Company, Inc.

Pine Cellular Phones, Inc.

Grand Telephone Company, Inc. Totah Communications, Inc. *et al*.

TracFone Wireless, Inc. TracFone

United States Cellular Corporation and

Rural Cellular Corporation US Cellular and Rural Cellular Corp.

Verizon and Verizon Wireless Verizon and Verizon Wireless

Western Telecommunications Alliance Western Telecommunications Alliance

**APPENDIX B**

**Alltel Communications, Inc., *et al*.**

**Petitions for Designation as Eligible Telecommunications Carriers**

# INTRODUCTION 

1.  As stated in paragraph 44 of this Order, we grant, deny, or dismiss
    without prejudice as discussed below 22 petitions for designation as
    eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) filed by 14 entities
    pursuant to section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act of 1934, as
    amended (the Act) (collectively, Petitions).[^117] We also redefine
    the service areas of certain rural telephone companies to the extent
    described herein.

# Background

## The Act

53. Section 254(e) of the Act provides that "only an eligible
    telecommunications carrier designated under section 214(e) shall be
    eligible to receive specific Federal universal service
    support."[^118] Pursuant to section 214(e)(1) of the Act, a common
    carrier designated as an ETC must offer and advertise the services
    supported by the federal universal service mechanisms throughout the
    designated service area.[^119]

54. Section 214(e)(2) of the Act gives state commissions the primary
    responsibility for performing ETC designations.[^120] Section
    214(e)(6) directs the Commission, upon request, to designate as an
    ETC "a common carrier providing telephone exchange service and
    exchange access that is not subject to the jurisdiction of a State
    commission."[^121] Under section 214(e)(6), the Commission may, with
    respect to an area served by a rural telephone company, and shall,
    in all other cases, designate more than one common carrier as an ETC
    for a designated service area, consistent with the public interest,
    convenience, and necessity, so long as the requesting carrier meets
    the requirements of section 214(e)(1).[^122] Before designating an
    additional ETC for an area served by a rural telephone company, the
    Commission must determine that the designation is in the public
    interest.[^123]

## Commission Requirements for ETC Designation 

55. An ETC petition must contain the following: (1) a certification and
    brief statement of supporting facts demonstrating that the
    petitioner is not subject to the jurisdiction of a state
    commission; (2) a certification that the petitioner offers or
    intends to offer all services designated for support by the
    Commission pursuant to section 254(c) of the Act; (3) a
    certification that the petitioner offers or intends to offer the
    supported services "either using its own facilities or a combination
    of its own facilities and resale of another carrier's services;" (4)
    a description of how the petitioner "advertise\[s\] the availability
    of the \[supported\] services and the charges therefor using media
    of general distribution;" and (5) if the petitioner meets the
    definition of a "rural telephone company" under section 3(37) of the
    Act, the identity of its study area, or, if the petitioner is not a
    "rural telephone company," a detailed description of the geographic
    service area for which it requests an ETC designation from the
    Commission.[^124]

56. In the *ETC Designation Order*, the Commission adopted additional
    requirements for ETC designation proceedings in which the Commission
    acts pursuant to section 214(e)(6) of the Act.[^125] Specifically,
    consistent with the recommendation of the Federal-State Joint Board
    on Universal Service (Joint Board), the Commission found that an ETC
    applicant must demonstrate: (1) a commitment and ability to provide
    services, including providing service to all customers within its
    proposed service area; (2) how it will remain functional in
    emergency situations; (3) that it will satisfy consumer protection
    and service quality standards; (4) that it offers local usage
    comparable to that offered by the incumbent LEC; and (5) an
    understanding that it may be required to provide equal access if all
    other ETCs in the designated service area relinquish their
    designations pursuant to section 214(e)(4) of the Act.[^126] These
    additional requirements are mandatory for all ETCs designated by the
    Commission.[^127] ETCs already designated by the Commission or ETC
    applicants that submitted applications prior to the effective date
    of the *ETC Designation Order* must make such showings in their
    annual certification filings.[^128]

57. In addition, prior to designating an ETC pursuant to section
    214(e)(6) of the Act, the Commission determines whether such
    designation is in the public interest.[^129] In the *ETC Designation
    Order*, the Commission adopted one set of criteria for evaluating
    the public interest for ETC designations for both rural and
    non-rural areas.[^130] Specifically, in determining the public
    interest, the benefits of increased consumer choice and the unique
    advantages and disadvantages of the applicant's service offering are
    considered.[^131] As the Commission noted in the *ETC Designation
    Order*, however, the same factors may be analyzed differently or may
    warrant a different outcome depending on the specifics of the
    proposed service area and whether it is rural or non-rural.[^132] In
    particular, the creamskimming analysis is limited to designations in
    rural service areas.[^133] Thus, when an ETC applicant seeks
    designation below the study area level of a rural telephone company,
    the Commission conducts a creamskimming analysis to compare the
    population density of the wire centers in which the ETC applicant
    seeks designation against that of the wire centers in the study area
    in which the ETC applicant does not seek designation.[^134]

## Requirements for Redefining Rural Telephone Company Service Areas

58. To designate ETCs in service areas that differ from the affected
    rural telephone companies' study areas, we must redefine the service
    areas of the rural telephone companies in accordance with section
    214(e)(5) of the Act.[^135] Under section 214(e)(5), "\[i\]n the
    case of an area served by a rural telephone company, 'service area'
    means such company's 'study area' unless and until the Commission
    and the States, after taking into account recommendations of a
    Federal-State Joint Board instituted under section 410(c), establish
    a different definition of service area for such company."[^136]
    Under section 54.207(d)(1) of the Commission's rules, the Commission
    must petition a state commission with the proposed definition
    according to that state commission's procedures.[^137] In that
    petition, the Commission must provide its proposal for redefining
    the service area and its decision presenting reasons for adopting
    the new definition, including an analysis that takes into account
    the recommendations of the Joint Board.[^138] When the Joint Board
    recommended that the Commission retain the current study areas of
    rural telephone companies as the service areas for the rural
    telephone companies, the Joint Board made the following
    observations: (1) the potential for creamskimming is minimized by
    retaining study areas because competitors, as a condition of
    eligibility, must provide services throughout the rural telephone
    company\'s study area; (2) the Act, in many respects, places rural
    telephone companies on a different competitive footing from other
    local telephone companies; and (3) there would be an administrative
    burden imposed on rural telephone companies by requiring them to
    calculate costs at something other than the study area level.[^139]

# discussion

## Commission Authority to Perform ETC Designations

59. Petitioners have demonstrated that, except for the Florida Public
    Service Commission, the Georgia Public Service Commission, and the
    U.S. Virgin Islands Public Services Commission, the relevant state
    commissions lack authority to perform the requested ETC designations
    and the Commission has authority to consider the Petitions under
    section 214(e)(6) of the Act.[^140]

60. In April 2007, the Florida Public Service Commission found that, due
    to a change in Florida state law, it "now ha\[s\] jurisdiction to
    consider CMRS applications for ETC designation."[^141] The Georgia
    Public Service Commission found in October 2007 that it has the
    authority to designate wireless carriers as ETCs.[^142] Further, the
    U.S. Virgin Islands in February 2008 granted its Public Services
    Commission the authority to grant requests for ETC designation by
    wireless carriers.[^143] In light of these developments, and because
    section 214(e)(2) of the Act gives state commissions the primary
    responsibility for performing ETC designations,[^144] we dismiss
    without prejudice the petitions filed by SouthernLINC seeking
    designation as an ETC in Florida and Georgia and the petition filed
    by Choice seeking designation as an ETC in the U.S. Virgin Islands
    (the Dismissed Petitions). SouthernLINC may re-file its petitions
    with the Florida Public Service Commission and the Georgia Public
    Service Commission, respectively, and Choice may re-file its
    petition with the U.S. Virgin Islands Public Services Commission.

61. Each of the remaining Petitions includes an affirmative statement
    from the relevant state commission providing that ETC designation
    should be sought from the Commission.[^145] Accordingly, we find
    that the relevant state commissions lack jurisdiction to designate
    Petitioners as ETCs and that this Commission therefore has authority
    to perform the requested ETC designations under section
    214(e)(6).[^146]

## Analysis of the Eligibility Requirements

62. [Offering the Services Designated for Support]{.underline}.
    Petitioners have demonstrated through the required certifications
    and related filings that they now offer, or will offer upon
    designation as ETCs, the services supported by the federal universal
    service mechanisms.[^147]

63. [Offering the Supported Services Using a Carrier's Own
    Facilities]{.underline}. Petitioners have demonstrated that they
    offer, or will offer upon designation as ETCs, the supported
    services using either their own facilities or a combination of their
    own facilities and resale of another carrier's services.[^148]

64. [Advertising Supported Services]{.underline}. Petitioners have
    committed to advertise the availability of the supported services
    and the related charges using media of general distribution.[^149]
    In addition, Petitioners have committed to advertising the
    availability of Lifeline and Link-Up services in a manner reasonably
    designed to reach those likely to qualify for those services.[^150]

65. [Additional Eligibility Requirements]{.underline}. Petitioners also
    satisfy the eligibility requirements set forth in the *ETC
    Designation Order*, described above,[^151] or must make such
    showings in their first annual reports under section 54.209 of the
    Commission's rules.[^152]

## Public Interest Analysis

66. [Cost-Benefit Analysis]{.underline}. We find that Petitioners'
    universal service offerings will provide a variety of benefits to
    consumers, including increased consumer choice, high-quality service
    offerings,[^153] and mobility.[^154] In addition, universal service
    support will enable Petitioners to construct facilities or
    accelerate planned construction.[^155] This should improve quality
    of service and will, in some cases, extend telephone service to
    people who do not have access to a wireline telephone or do not have
    a choice of telephone providers.[^156] On balance, and subject to
    our creamskimming analysis for rural study areas below, we find that
    the advantages of designating Petitioners as ETCs to the extent
    described herein outweigh any disadvantages.[^157]

67. [Creamskimming Analysis]{.underline}. Because Petitioners request
    ETC status in the entire study area of each of the rural telephone
    companies listed in Exhibits 2, 4-9, 11-13, 15-16, and 18-28, we are
    not concerned about the potential for creamskimming with regard to
    these companies.[^158] For this reason and for the reasons set forth
    in paragraph 15, we find that designation of Petitioners as ETCs in
    the areas stated in Exhibits 2, 4-9, 11-13, 15-16, and 18-28 is in
    the public interest.

68. Petitioners' service areas differ from the study areas of the rural
    telephone companies identified in Exhibits 3, 10, 14, 17 and 29. We
    therefore performed a creamskimming analysis for those service
    areas. Except as noted below, our analysis of the population density
    of each of the affected wire centers revealed that Petitioners will
    not be serving only low-cost areas to the exclusion of high-cost
    areas. Although there are other factors that define high-cost areas,
    a lower population density generally indicates a higher-cost
    area.[^159] Therefore, except as noted below, we find that, for the
    reasons stated in paragraph 15 and because designating Petitioners
    below the study area level of the relevant rural telephone companies
    will not have the effect of creamskimming, such designations are in
    the public interest.

69. For the following study areas, we find designating Petitioners below
    the study area level raises creamskimming concerns based on analysis
    of population densities and therefore is not in the public interest.

70. *Alltel.* We find that designating Alltel as an ETC in the Butler
    Telephone Co., Inc. and Frontier Communications of the South study
    areas in Alabama, the Alltel Carolina-North Inc. and Sprint Mid
    Atlantic study areas in North Carolina, and the Central Telephone
    Co.-Virginia, NTELOS Telephone Inc., United Inter-Mountain
    Telephone, and Verizon South Inc.-VA study areas of Virginia would
    not be in the public interest.

71. *Dobson.* We find that designating Dobson as an ETC in the Citizens
    Telecom-NY and State Tel. Co. study areas would not be in the public
    interest. Designation of Dobson as an ETC in the Empire Tel. Corp.
    study area does not create creamskimming concerns because,
    consistent with Dobson's filing, we remove the East Pembroke wire
    center from the proposed service area.[^160] We therefore designate
    Dobson as an ETC only in the Pulteney wire center in the Empire Tel.
    Corp. service area.

72. *U.S. Cellular.* We find that designating U.S. Cellular as an ETC in
    the Citizens Communications Company Tennessee d/b/a Frontier
    Communications of Tennessee, LLC, Tennessee Telephone Co., and Twin
    Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corp. study areas would not be in the
    public interest. We note that U.S. Cellular did not provide
    sufficient data for us to perform a creamskimming analysis with
    respect to Tennessee Telephone Co.

73. [Partial Wire Centers]{.underline}. In the *ETC Designation Order*
    and *Highland Cellular Order*, the Commission concluded that making
    designations for a portion of a rural telephone company's wire
    center would be inconsistent with the public interest. [^161]
    Therefore, we find that designating NEP as an ETC in the
    North-Eastern Pennsylvania Telephone Co. study area in Pennsylvania
    would not be in the public interest because NEP only provides
    partial coverage in the wire centers of Clifford and Forest City. In
    addition, we find that designating NEP as an ETC in the Springville
    wire center in the Frontier study area in Pennsylvania would not be
    in the public interest because NEP only provides partial coverage in
    this wire center.[^162]

## Redefinition Analysis

74. Consistent with prior rural service area redefinitions and with the
    recommendations of the Joint Board described above,[^163] we
    redefine certain service areas as follows.

75. [Alltel]{.underline}. We note that we previously redefined the
    service areas of Alltel Alabama Inc. and Millry Telephone Company in
    Alabama[^164] and Central Telephone Co. and Surry Telephone
    Membership in North Carolina.[^165]

76. [Dobson]{.underline}. We redefine the services areas of Citizens
    Tel. Co. of NY, Taconic Tel. Corp., and Middleburgh Tel. Co at the
    wire center level. We also redefine the revised Empire service area
    at the wire center level.[^166]

77. [NEP]{.underline}. We redefine the requested wire centers in the
    study area of Frontier and Verizon North at the wire center
    level.[^167]

78. [NY RSA 2]{.underline}. We redefine the requested wire centers in
    the study area of Citizens Telecommunications of New York d/b/a
    Frontier Communications as a separate service area.

79. [U.S. Cellular]{.underline}. We redefine the requested wire centers
    in the study area of North Central Telephone Cooperative, Inc. as a
    separate service area. We also redefine the requested wire centers
    in the study areas of NTELOS Telephone Inc., Peoples Mutual
    Telephone Co., Central Telephone Co.-VA and Verizon South Inc.-VA in
    Virginia as a separate service area. We also redefine the requested
    wire centers in the study areas of Alltel Carolina-North, Inc.,
    Central Telephone Company-North Carolina, Randolph Telephone
    Membership Corporation, Skyline Telephone Membership Corporation,
    Sprint Mid-Atlantic, and Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership
    Corporation in North Carolina as a separate service area. Finally,
    we note that we previously redefined Granite State Telephone Inc.'s
    service area in New Hampshire[^168] and United Inter-Mountain
    Telephone Company's service area in Virginia.[^169]

80. Except where noted above, our redefinition proposals are subject to
    the agreement of the relevant state commissions. We therefore submit
    our redefinition proposals to the relevant state commissions and
    request that they examine such proposals based on their unique
    familiarity with the rural areas in question. If, after its review,
    a state commission determines that it does not agree with a
    redefinition proposal herein, we intend to reexamine the relevant
    petition with regard to redefining the service area.

## Designated Service Areas

81. Based on the foregoing, we hereby designate Petitioners as ETCs as
    follows.

82. [Alltel]{.underline}. We designate Alltel as an ETC for the entire
    study areas served by the rural telephone companies in Alabama,
    North Carolina, and Virginia listed in Exhibit 2. Subject to the
    agreement of the Alabama Public Service Commission, North Carolina
    Utilities Commission and Virginia Corporation Commission on our
    proposed redefinition of service areas, if not previously
    redefined,[^170] we also designate Alltel as an ETC in the wire
    centers listed in Exhibit 3.

83. [Cingular]{.underline}. We designate Cingular as an ETC in the
    requested areas served by the non-rural telephone companies in
    Alabama and Virginia listed in Exhibit 4. We designate Cingular as
    an ETC for the entire study areas served by the rural telephone
    companies in Virginia listed in Exhibit 5.

84. [Corr]{.underline}. We designate Corr as an ETC in the entire study
    area served by the non-rural telephone company in Alabama listed in
    Exhibit 6. We designate Corr as an ETC in the entire study areas
    served by the rural telephone companies in Alabama listed in Exhibit
    7.[^171]

85. [Dobson]{.underline}. We designate Dobson as an ETC in the requested
    study areas in New York served by non-rural telephone companies, as
    listed in Exhibit 8. We designate Dobson as an ETC in the entire
    study areas served by the rural telephone companies in New York, as
    listed in Exhibit 9. Subject to the New York Department of Public
    Service's agreement on our proposed redefinition of service areas,
    we also designate Dobson as an ETC for the wire centers in Exhibit
    10.

86. [Farmers]{.underline}. We designate Farmers as an ETC in the
    requested areas served by the non-rural telephone companies in
    Alabama listed in Exhibit 11. We designate Farmers as an ETC for the
    entire study areas served by the rural telephone companies in
    Alabama listed in Exhibit 12.

87. [NEP]{.underline}. We designate NEP as an ETC for the entire study
    areas served by the rural telephone companies in Pennsylvania listed
    in Exhibit 13. Subject to the Pennsylvania Public Utility
    Commission's agreement on our proposed redefinition of service
    areas, we also designate NEP as an ETC in the wire centers listed in
    Exhibit 14.

88. [NY RSA 2]{.underline}. We designate NY RSA 2 as an ETC in the
    requested areas served by the non-rural telephone companies in New
    York listed in Exhibit 15. We designate NY RSA 2 as an ETC for the
    entire study areas served by the rural telephone companies in New
    York listed in Exhibit 16. Subject to the New York Department of
    Public Service's agreement on our proposed redefinition of service
    areas, we also designate NY RSA 2 as an ETC for the wire centers
    listed in Exhibit 17.

89. [Pine Belt]{.underline}. We designate Pine Belt as an ETC for the
    entire study areas served by the rural telephone companies in
    Alabama listed in Exhibit 18.

90. [RCC.]{.underline} We designate RCC as an ETC in the requested areas
    served by the non-rural telephone companies in Alabama listed in
    Exhibit 19. We designate RCC as an ETC for the entire study areas
    served by the rural telephone companies in Alabama listed in Exhibit
    20.

91. [SouthernLINC]{.underline}. We designate SouthernLINC as an ETC in
    the requested service areas in Alabama served by the non-rural
    telephone companies listed in Exhibit 21. We designate SouthernLINC
    as an ETC in the entire study areas served by the rural telephone
    companies in Alabama listed in Exhibit 22.[^172]

92. [St. Lawrence Seaway]{.underline}. We designate St. Lawrence Seaway
    as an ETC in the requested areas served by the non-rural telephone
    companies in New York listed in Exhibit 23. We designate St.
    Lawrence Seaway as an ETC for the entire study areas served by the
    rural telephone companies in New York listed in Exhibit 24.

93. [SunCom]{.underline}. We designate SunCom as an ETC in the requested
    areas served by the non-rural telephone companies in North Carolina,
    Tennessee, and Virginia listed in Exhibit 25. We designate SunCom as
    an ETC for the entire study areas served by the rural telephone
    companies in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia listed in
    Exhibit 26.

94. [U.S. Cellular]{.underline}. We designate U.S. Cellular as an ETC in
    the requested areas served by the non-rural telephone companies in
    North Carolina, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Virginia listed in
    Exhibit 27.[^173] We designate U.S. Cellular as an ETC for the
    entire study areas served by the rural telephone companies in North
    Carolina, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Virginia listed in Exhibit
    28.[^174] Subject to the agreement of the New Hampshire Public
    Utilities Commission, North Carolina Utilities Commission, Tennessee
    Regulatory Authority, and Virginia Corporation Commission on our
    proposed redefinition of service areas, if not previously
    redefined,[^175] we also designate U.S. Cellular as an ETC for the
    wire centers listed in Exhibit 29.

95. Petitioners' ETC designations are effective thirty days after
    publication of this Order in the Federal Register, except where
    redefined service areas require the agreement of a state commission.
    Where redefined service areas require the agreement of a state
    commission, Petitioners' ETC designations are effective upon the
    effective date of the agreement of the relevant state commission
    with our redefinition of the service area, but in no event prior to
    the effective date of this order. We also note that a newly
    designated ETC shall be eligible to receive support as of the
    effective date of its designation as an ETC provided it submits the
    data required by sections 54.307, 54.313, and 54.314, as applicable,
    of our rules within 60 days of the effective date.[^176] Therefore,
    if Petitioners file the required data within the 60-day period, they
    will receive support as of the effective date of their designations.

## Regulatory Oversight

96. Petitioners are required under section 254(e) of the Act to use
    high-cost support "only for the provision, maintenance, and
    upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is
    intended" and must, under sections 54.313 and 54.314 of the
    Commission's rules, certify annually that they are in compliance
    with this requirement.[^177] In addition, Petitioners must report
    certain information to the Commission and the Universal Service
    Administrative Company (USAC) for the areas in which they are
    designated as ETCs pursuant to section 54.209 of our rules.[^178]

97. We find that reliance on Petitioners' commitments to meet these
    requirements is reasonable and consistent with the public interest,
    the Act, and the Fifth Circuit decision in *Texas Office of Public
    Utility Counsel v. FCC*.[^179] We conclude that these additional
    certification and reporting requirements will further the
    Commission's goal of ensuring that Petitioners satisfy their
    obligation under section 214(e) of the Act to provide supported
    services throughout their designated service areas.

98. We note that the Commission may institute an inquiry on its own
    motion to examine any ETC's records and documentation to ensure that
    the high-cost support it receives is being used "only for the
    provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services" in
    the areas where it is designated as an ETC.[^180] Petitioners will
    be required to provide such records and documentation to the
    Commission and USAC upon request. We further emphasize that if a
    Petitioner fails to fulfill the requirements of the statute, our
    rules, or the terms of this Order after it begins receiving
    universal service support, the Commission has authority to revoke
    its ETC designation.[^181] The Commission also may assess
    forfeitures for violations of Commission rules and orders.[^182]

# ANTI-DRUG ABUSE ACT CERTIFICATION

99. Pursuant to section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, no
    applicant is eligible for any new, modified, or renewed instrument
    of authorization from the Commission, including authorizations
    issued pursuant to section 214 of the Act, unless the applicant
    certifies that neither it, nor any party to its application, is
    subject to a denial of federal benefits, including Commission
    benefits.[^183] Petitioners have provided a certification consistent
    with the requirements of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988.[^184] We
    find that Petitioners have satisfied the requirements of the
    Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, as codified in sections 1.2001-1.2003
    of the Commission's rules.[^185]

## EXHIBIT 1 {#exhibit-1 .unnumbered}

**PENDING ETC DESIGNATION PETITIONS**

**[Alltel Communications, Inc. Alabama Petition]{.underline}**

Alltel Communications, Inc. Petition for Designation as an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier in the State of Alabama, CC Docket No. 96-45
(filed Oct.13, 2005) (Alltel Alabama Petition) (redacted).

**[Alltel Communications, Inc. North Carolina Petition]{.underline}**

Alltel Communications, Inc. Petition for Designation as an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier in the State of North Carolina, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Oct. 13, 2005) (Alltel North Carolina Petition) (redacted).

**[Alltel Communications, Inc. Virginia Petition]{.underline}**

Alltel Communications, Inc. Petition for Designation as an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier in the Commonwealth of Virginia, CC Docket
No. 96-45 (filed Oct. 13, 2005) (Alltel Virginia Petition) (redacted).

**[Choice Communications LLC U.S. Virgin Islands Petition]{.underline}**

Choice Communications LLC, Petition for Designation as an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier in the United States Virgin Islands, CC
Docket No. 96-45 (filed Jan. 13, 2005) (Choice Petition) (redacted).

Letter from Jennifer M. Kashatus, Counsel for Choice, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Feb. 9, 2005) (Choice Supplement) (submitting additional
information in support of its petition).

Letter from Jennifer M. Kashatus, Counsel for Choice, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Mar. 16, 2005) (Choice Second Supplement) (submitting maps
of Choice's coverage area) (redacted).

Letter from Jennifer M. Kashatus, Counsel for Choice, to Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed
May 15, 2007) (Choice Third Supplement) (submitting a list of Choice's
MMDS licenses and maps of its service area) (redacted).

Letter from Jennifer M. Kashatus, Counsel for Choice, to Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed
Sept. 24, 2007) (Choice Fourth Supplement) (submitting additional
information on Choice's service offerings).

**[Cingular Alabama Petition]{.underline}**

Petition of AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. for Designation as an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier Pursuant to Section 214(e)(6) of the
Communications Act, Petition of AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. for
Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of
Alabama, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed Dec. 31, 2003) (AWS Alabama
Petition) (redacted).

Supplement to the Petition of AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. for
Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Pursuant to
Section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act, Petition of AT&T Wireless
Services, Inc. for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier
in the state of Alabama, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed May 11, 2004) (AWS
Alabama Supplement).

Amendment to the Petition of AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. for
Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of
Alabama, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed Feb. 23, 2006) (Cingular Alabama
Amendment) (redacted).

Minor Further Amendment to ETC Petition: Cingular Wireless LLC (f/k/a
AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.), CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed April 28,
2006) (explaining that the request includes the Livingston wire center
in the BellSouth SAC (255181) with whichever CLLI Code is applicable,
noting that currently the Local Exchange Routing Guide and the Universal
Service Administrative Company use different CLLI codes -- LVTNALMA and
LVTNALLA).

**[Cingular Virginia Petition]{.underline}**

Cingular Wireless, LLC Petition for Designation as an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier in the Commonwealth of Virginia, CC Docket
No. 96-45 (filed Nov. 7, 2006) (Cingular Virginia Petition) (redacted).

Letter from Russell P. Hanser, Counsel for Cingular, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Sept. 4, 2007) (submitting maps of Cingular's coverage
area) (redacted).

**[Corr Wireless Communications, LLC Alabama Petition]{.underline}**

Corr Wireless Communications, LLC Petition for Designation as an
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of Alabama, CC Docket
No. 96-45 (filed June 14, 2007) (Corr Petition).

**[Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc. New York Petition]{.underline}**

Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc. and American Cellular Corp. (Dobson) Joint
Petition for Designation as Eligible Telecommunications Carriers in the
State of New York (No Rural Redefinition Requested), CC Docket No. 96-45
(filed May 3, 2004) (Dobson First Petition).

Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc. and American Cellular Corp. Joint Petition
for Designation as Eligible Telecommunications Carriers in the State of
New York (Rural Redefinition Requested), CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed May
10, 2004) (Dobson Redefinition Petition).

Amendment of ETC Petition -- Dobson Cellular Systems Inc. and American
Cellular Corporation, New York, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed Sept. 16,
2005) (Dobson Exhibit E (revised)) (correcting a wire center study area
code).

Second Amendment of ETC Petition -- Dobson, New York, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Oct. 11, 2005) (Dobson Second Amendment) (filing a revised
list of rural wire centers that corrects some slight errors in
population data and makes alternative proposals about service area
boundaries).

**[Farmers Cellular Alabama Petition]{.underline}**

Farmers Cellular Petition to Amend the Designated Service Area of
Farmers Cellular Telephone, Inc., CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed Dec. 1,
2005) (seeking to amend its designated area to include additional wire
centers in the state of Alabama) (Farmers Petition).

Letter from Gary Kirk, General Manager for Farmers, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Dec. 2, 2005) (submitting a chart and maps in support of
Farmers' five-year plan) (redacted).

Supplement to Farmers Cellular Petition to Amend the Designated Service
Area of Farmers Cellular Telephone, Inc., CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed
Feb. 2, 2007) (Farmers February 2 Supplement).

**[NEP Cellcorp, Inc. Pennsylvania Petition]{.underline}**

Petition of NEP Cellcorp, Inc. to be Designated as an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, CC
Docket No. 96-45 (filed June 7, 2007) (NEP Petition).

**[New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership New York Petition]{.underline}**

New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership Petition for Designation as an
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of New York, CC Docket
No. 96-45 (filed June 23, 2005) (NY RSA 2 Petition).

New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership, Supplement for Designation as an
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of New York, CC Docket
No. 96-45 (filed July 19, 2005) (NY RSA 2 July 19 Supplement).

**[Pine Belt Cellular, Inc. Alabama Petition]{.underline}**

Pine Belt Cellular, Inc. Petition for Designation as an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier in the State of Alabama, CC Docket No. 96-45
(filed Mar. 2, 2006) (Pine Belt Petition) (redacted).

**[RCC Minnesota, Inc. Alabama Petition]{.underline}**

RCC Holdings, Inc. Petition for Designation as an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier in Additional Portions of the State of
Alabama, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed June 23, 2005) (RCC Petition)
(seeking to extend its ETC designation in Alabama to include newly
acquired portions of its service area).

Letter from B. Lynn F. Ratnavale, Counsel for RCC Minnesota, Inc., to
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC
Docket No. 96-45 (filed Mar. 2, 2007) (notice of name change from RCC
Holdings, Inc. to RCC Minnesota, Inc., and supplemental maps and
licensing information).

**[SouthernLINC Alabama Petitions]{.underline}**

Petition of Southern Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a SouthernLINC
Wireless for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in
Alabama, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed Sep. 14, 2004) (SouthernLINC
Non-Rural Alabama Petition).

Petition of Southern Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a SouthernLINC
for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in Alabama, CC
Docket No. 96-45 (filed Sep. 14, 2004) (SouthernLINC Rural Alabama
Petition).

Letter from Erin W. Emmott, Counsel for SouthernLINC, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Jan. 12, 2005) (January 12 Non-rural Alabama Supplement).

Letter from Erin W. Emmott, Counsel for SouthernLINC, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Jan. 12, 2005) (January 12 Rural Alabama Supplement).

Letter from Erin W. Emmott, Counsel for SouthernLINC, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Jan. 21, 2005) (January 21 Non-Rural Alabama Supplement).

Letter from Erin W. Emmott, Counsel for SouthernLINC, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Jan. 21, 2005) (January 21 Rural Alabama Supplement).

Letter from Erin W. Emmott, Counsel for SouthernLINC Wireless, to
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC
Docket No. 96-45 (filed Mar. 2, 2005) (March 2 Alabama Supplement).

Letter from Erin W. Emmott, Counsel for SouthernLINC Wireless, to
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC
Docket No. 96-45 (filed Nov. 16, 2005) (November 16 Supplement)
(replacing January 21 Rural Alabama Supplement and March 2 Alabama
Supplement) (noting also that the company had changed its name to
"SouthernLINC Wireless").

Letter from Erin W. Emmott, Counsel for SouthernLINC Wireless, to
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC
Docket No. 96-45 (filed Dec. 29, 2005) (December 29 Alabama Supplement).

Letter from Robert G. Dawson, SouthernLINC Wireless, to Kevin J. Martin,
Chairman, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed
June 29, 2006) (June 29 Supplement).

**[SouthernLINC Florida Petition]{.underline}**

Petition of Southern Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a SouthernLINC
for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Pursuant to
Section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed
Sep. 14, 2004) (SouthernLINC Florida Petition).

Letter from Erin W. Emmett, Counsel for SouthernLINC, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Jan. 12, 2005) (January 12 Florida Supplement).

Letter from Erin W. Emmett, Counsel for SouthernLINC, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Jan. 21, 2005) (January 21 Florida Supplement).

Letter from Erin W. Emmett, Counsel for SouthernLINC, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Feb. 22, 2005) (February Florida Supplement).

Letter from Erin W. Emmett, Counsel for SouthernLINC Wireless, to
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC
Docket No. 96-45 (filed Nov. 16, 2005) (November Florida Supplement)
(noting that the company had changed its name to "SouthernLINC
Wireless").

Letter from Erin W. Emmett, Counsel for SouthernLINC Wireless, to
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC
Docket No. 96-45 (filed Dec. 29, 2005) (December Florida Supplement).

Letter from Robert G. Dawson, SouthernLINC Wireless, to Kevin J. Martin,
Chairman, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed
June 29, 2006) (June 29 Supplement).

**[SouthernLINC Georgia Petitions]{.underline}**

Petition of Southern Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a SouthernLINC
for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Pursuant to
Section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed
Sep. 14, 2004) (SouthernLINC Non-Rural Georgia Petition).

Petition of Southern Communications Services, Inc. d/b/a SouthernLINC
for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Pursuant to
Section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed
Sep. 14, 2004) (SouthernLINC Rural Georgia Petition).

Letter from Erin W. Emmott, Counsel for SouthernLINC, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Jan. 12, 2005) (January 12 Non-Rural Georgia Supplement).

Letter from Erin W. Emmott, Counsel for SouthernLINC, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission Petition, CC Docket
No. 96-45 (filed Jan.12, 2005) (January 12 Rural Georgia Supplement).

Letter from Erin W. Emmott, Counsel for SouthernLINC, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Jan. 21, 2005) (January 21 Georgia Supplement).

Letter from Erin W. Emmott, Counsel for SouthernLINC, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Mar. 2, 2005) (March 2 Georgia Supplement).

Letter from Erin W. Emmott, Counsel for SouthernLINC, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Nov. 16, 2005) (November Georgia Supplement) (noting that
the company had changed its name to "SouthernLINC Wireless").

Letter from Erin W. Emmott, Counsel for SouthernLINC, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Dec. 29, 2005) (December 29 Georgia Supplement).

Letter from Robert G. Dawson, SouthernLINC Wireless, to Kevin J. Martin,
Chairman, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed
June 29, 2006) (June 29 Supplement).

**[St. Lawrence Seaway Cellular Partnership New York
Petition]{.underline}**

St. Lawrence Seaway Cellular Partnership Petition for Designation as an
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of New York, CC Docket
No. 96-45 (filed June 23, 2005) (St. Lawrence Seaway Petition).

Supplement to Petition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications
Carrier in the State of New York, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed July 19,
2005) (St. Lawrence Seaway July 19 Supplement).

**[SunCom Wireless, Inc. Petition]{.underline}**

SunCom Wireless, Inc. Petition for Designation as an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and
Virginia, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed June 23, 2005) (SunCom Petition).

Letter from David L. Sieradzki, Counsel for SunCom, to Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed
May 4, 2007) (submitting call signs and maps of its license area).

Letter from David L. Sieradzki, Counsel for SunCom, to Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed
Nov. 2, 2007) (submitting a list of wire centers and CLLI codes for
which SunCom is seeking designation).

Letter from David L. Sieradzki, Counsel for SunCom, to Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed
Dec. 14, 2007) (withdrawing SunCom's petition for ETC designation in
Georgia and withdrawing requests for designation in two study areas).

Letter from David L. Sieradzki, Counsel to SunCom, to Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed
Jan. 2, 2008) (clarifying the CLLI code for the Hartford wire center in
North Carolina).

**[U.S. Cellular New Hampshire Petition]{.underline}**

U.S. Cellular Petition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications
Carrier in the State of New Hampshire, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed April
13, 2004) (U.S. Cellular New Hampshire Petition).

Letter from David A. LaFuria, Counsel for U.S. Cellular, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Nov. 4, 2005) (U.S. Cellular New Hampshire Amendment)
(amending its New Hampshire petition to demonstrate compliance with the
*Virginia Cellular Order* and the *Highland Cellular Order*).

U.S. Cellular New Hampshire Amendment Erratum, CC Docket No. 96-45
(filed Nov. 7, 2005) (correcting a footnote).

**[U.S. Cellular North Carolina Petition]{.underline}**

U.S. Cellular Petition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications
Carrier in the State of North Carolina, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed Oct.
14, 2004) (U.S. Cellular North Carolina Petition).

Letter from David A. LaFuria, Counsel for U.S. Cellular, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Nov. 4, 2005) (U.S. Cellular North Carolina Amendment)
(amending its North Carolina petition to demonstrate compliance with the
*Virginia Cellular Order* and the *Highland Cellular Order*, and, for
each partial wire center listed in the original North Carolina Petition,
either withdrawing the request or committing to serve the entire wire
center through a combination of its own facilities and resale or
roaming).

U.S. Cellular North Carolina Amendment Erratum, CC Docket No. 96-45
(filed Nov. 7, 2005) (correcting a footnote and the signature block).

U.S. Cellular North Carolina Amendment Second Erratum, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Nov. 15, 2005) (correcting certain discrepancies between
the list of requested wire centers and the population density analysis
in the revised Exhibits D and I (hereinafter "Corrected Revised Exhibit
D" and "Corrected Revised Exhibit I")).

**[U.S. Cellular Tennessee Petition]{.underline}**

Tennessee RSA No. 3 Limited Partnership d/b/a Eloqui Wireless, Petition
for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State
of Tennessee, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed June 23, 2005) (Eloqui
Petition).

U.S. Cellular Corp. Amended Petition for Designation as an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier in Additional Areas in the State of
Tennessee, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed Sept. 7, 2007) (noting that U.S.
Cellular now controls Eloqui, and extending its proposed ETC service
area to include additional territory within U.S. Cellular's FCC-licensed
service area in Tennessee) (U.S. Cellular Tennessee Amended Petition).

U.S. Cellular Corp. Supplement to Amended Petition for Designation as an
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in Areas in the State of Tennessee,
CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed Nov. 6, 2007) (submitting maps of combined
licensed service areas of U.S. Cellular in Tennessee).

**[U.S. Cellular Virginia Petition]{.underline}**

U.S. Cellular Petition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications
Carrier in the Commonwealth of Virginia, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed
April 9, 2004) (U.S. Cellular Virginia Petition).

Letter from David A. LaFuria, Counsel for U.S. Cellular, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed Nov. 4, 2005) (U.S. Cellular Virginia Amendment) (amending
its Virginia petition to demonstrate compliance with the *Virginia
Cellular Order* and the *Highland Cellular Order*).

Letter from David LaFuria, Counsel for U.S. Cellular, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45 (filed June 14, 2006) (U.S. Cellular Virginia Second Amendment)
(amending its Virginia petition to withdraw certain wire centers from
the proposed ETC service area in the Central Telephone Co.-VA and
Verizon South-VA study areas; in the alternative, removal of certain
wire centers in the Verizon South-VA study area and removal of the
Collinsville (COLLINSVL) wire center in the Central Telephone Co.-VA
study area).

Letter from David LaFuria, Counsel for U.S. Cellular, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, CC Docket No.
96-45, (filed July 28, 2006) (U.S. Cellular Virginia Third Amendment)
(amending its Virginia petition to withdraw the Alta Vista (ALTVVAXA)
and Buena Vista (BNVSVAXA) wire centers and to include the Brownsburg
(BRBGVAXA) and Virgilina (VRGLVAXA) wire centers in its proposed service
area for Central Telephone Co.-VA).

**EXHIBIT 2**

**[Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in Alltel's ETC Service
Area]{.underline}**

**Alabama:**

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                         **WIRE CENTER**   **CLLI**
  ------------------------------------ ----------------- -----------------
  Castleberry Telephone Co. Inc.       CASTLEBERRY       CSTLALXA

  Frontier Communications of AL        BEATRICE          BTRCALXA

  Frontier Communications of AL        MONROEVILLE       EXCLALXA

  Frontier Communications of AL        FINCHBERG         FNBGALXA

  Frontier Communications of AL        FRISCO CITY       FRCYALXA

  Frontier Communications of AL        GOSPORT           GSPTALXA

  Frontier Communications of AL        MONROEVILLE       MOVLALXA

  Frontier Communications of AL        PINE APPLE        PNAPALXA

  Frontier Communications of AL        PETERMAN          PTMNALXA

  Frontier Communications of AL        REPTON            RPTNALXA

  Frontier Communications of AL        URIAH             URIHALXA

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   BON SECOUR        BNSCALXA

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   ELBERTA           ELBTALXA

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   ELBERTA           ELBTALXB

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   FOLEY             FOLYALXA

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   FOLEY             FOLYALXB

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   FORT MORGAN       FTMRALXA

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   GULF SHORES       GLSHALXA

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   GULF SHRS         GLSHALXB

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   LILLIAN           LLLNALXA

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   ELBERTA           LLLNALXB

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   LOXLEY            LXLYALXA

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   LOXLEY            LXLYALXB

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   FOLEY             MGSPALXA

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   SUMMERDALE        MRLWALXA

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   ORANGE BEACH      ORBHALXA

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   ORANGE BCH        ORBHALXC

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   ROBERTSDALE       RBDLALXA

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   SILVERHILL        RBDLALXB

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   SEMINOLE          SMNLALXA

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   ROBERTSDALE       SMNLALXB

  Gulf Telephone Co.                   SUMMERDALE        SRDLALXA

  Hayneville Telephone Co. Inc.        GORDONSVILLE      GOVLALXA

  Hayneville Telephone Co. Inc.        HAYNEVILLE        HYVLALXA

  Hayneville Telephone Co. Inc.        LOWNDESBORO       LWBOALXA

  Mon -- Cre Telephone Cooperative     RAMER             RAMRALXA

  Union Springs Telephone Co. Inc.     FORT DAVIS        FTDVALXA

  Union Springs Telephone Co. Inc.     MIDWAY            MDWYALXA

  Union Springs Telephone Co. Inc.     PEROTE            PROTALXA

  Union Springs Telephone Co. Inc.     UN SPGS           UNSPALXA
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

**North Carolina:**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                          **WIRE CENTER**     **CLLI CODE**
  ------------------------------------- ------------------- -------------
  Atlantic Telephone Membership Co      BOLIVIA             BOLVNCXA

  Atlantic Telephone Membership Co      BOILING SPRING      BSLKNCXA
                                        LAKES               

  Atlantic Telephone Membership Co      SUPPLY              HLBHNCXB

  Atlantic Telephone Membership Co      LONGWOOD            LGWDNCXA

  Atlantic Telephone Membership Co      OCEAN IS BEACH      SESDNCXB

  Atlantic Telephone Membership Co      SHALLOTTE           SHLTNCXA

  Concord Telephone Co.                 ALBEMARLE           ALBMNCXA

  Concord Telephone Co.                 BADIN               BADNNCXA

  Concord Telephone Co.                 CHINA GROVE         CHGVNCXA

  Concord Telephone Co.                 CONCORD             CNCRNCXA

  Concord Telephone Co.                 HARRISBURG          HRBGNCXA

  Concord Telephone Co.                 KANNAPOLIS          KNPLNCXA

  Concord Telephone Co.                 MT PLEASANT         MNPLNCXA

  Concord Telephone Co.                 NEW LONDON          NWLNNCXA

  Concord Telephone Co.                 OAKBORO             OKBONCXA

  Ellerbe Telephone Co. Inc.            ELLERBE             ELRBNCXA

  Lexcom Telephone Company              LEXINGTON           LXTNNCXA

  Lexcom Telephone Company              LEXINGTON           LXTNNCXB

  Lexcom Telephone Company              LEXINGTON           LXTNNCXC

  Lexcom Telephone Company              LEXINGTON           LXTNNCXD

  Lexcom Telephone Company              LEXINGTON           LXTNNCXE

  Lexcom Telephone Company              SOUTHMONT           SMNTNCXA

  Lexcom Telephone Company              WELCOME             WLCMNCXA

  Mebtel Inc.                           MEBANE              MEBNNCXA

  Piedmont Telephone Membership Co      CHURCHLAND          CHLDNCXA

  Piedmont Telephone Membership Co      LEXINGTON           REDSNCXA

  Pineville Telephone Co.               PINEVILLE           PIVLNCXB

  Randolph Telephone Co.                LIBERTY             LBRTNCXA

  Randolph Telephone Membership Co.     BADIN LAKE          BDLKNCXA

  Randolph Telephone Membership Co.     BENNETT             BNNTNCXA

  Randolph Telephone Membership Co.     COLERIDGE           CLRGNCXA

  Randolph Telephone Membership Co.     FARMER              FRMRNCXA

  Randolph Telephone Membership Co.     HIGHFALLS           HGHFNCXA

  Randolph Telephone Membership Co.     JACKSON CREEK       JKCKNCXA

  Randolph Telephone Membership Co.     ASHEBORO            PSGHNCXA

  Service Telephone Co.                 FAIR BLUFF          FRBLNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corp.       BLADENBORO          ABBGNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corp.       DUNN                COHRNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corp.       GARLAND             CYCKNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corp.       HARRELLS            HRLSNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corp.       CLINTON             HRNGNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corp.       KELLY               KLLYNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corp.       LISBON              LSBNNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corp.       ROSEBORO            SORVNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corp.       TURKEY              SXRNNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corp.       WHITE OAK           WHOKNCXA

  Tri-County Telephone Membership       PANTEGO             PKRDNCXA

  Tri-County Telephone Membership       PINETOWN            PNTWNCXA

  Tri-County Telephone Membership       BATH                SDNYNCXA

  Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership    ADVANCE             ADVNNCXA

  Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership    HAMPTONVILLE        BRKSNCXA

  Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership    COOLEEMEE           COLMNCXA

  Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership    YADKINVILLE         CRTYNCXA

  Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership    EAST BEND           EBNDNCXA

  Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership    FORBUSH             FRBSNCXB

  Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership    HARMONY             HRMYNCXA

  Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership    MOCKSVILLE          IJAMNCXA

  Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership    UNION GROVE         UNGVNCXB

  Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership    NEW HOPE            NWHPNCXA
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

**Virginia:**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                          **WIRE CENTER**     **CLLI CODE**
  ------------------------------------- ------------------- -------------
  Buggs Island Telephone Coop           LA CROSSE           BCRGVAXA

  Buggs Island Telephone Coop           BAKERVILLE          BCWDVAXA

  Burkes Garden Telephone Co. Inc       BURKES GARDEN       BRGRVAXA

  New Hope Telephone Co.                FT DEFIANCE         NWHPVAXA

  Peoples Mutual Telephone Co.          GRETNA              GRETVAXA

  Peoples Mutual Telephone Co.          HURT                HURTVAXA

  Peoples Mutual Telephone Co.          RENAN               RENNVAXA

  Peoples Mutual Telephone Co.          SANDY LEVEL         SNLVVAXA

  Scott County Telephone Coop           CLINCHPORT          CLPTVAXA

  Scott County Telephone Coop           DUFFIELD            DFFDVAXA

  Scott County Telephone Coop           DUNGANNON           DNGNVAXA

  Scott County Telephone Coop           FORT BLACKMORE      FTBCVAXA

  Scott County Telephone Coop           NICKELSVILLE        NCVLVAXA

  Scott County Telephone Coop           WILLIAMS MILL       WLMLVAXA
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

**EXHIBIT 3**

**[Rural Service Areas Previously Reclassified]{.underline}**

**[Along Wire Center Boundaries For Inclusion]{.underline}**

**[In Alltel's ETC Service Area]{.underline}**

**Alabama:**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                          **WIRE CENTER**  **CLLI**
  ------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
  Alltel Alabama Inc.                   ECLECTIC         ECLCALXA

  Alltel Alabama Inc.                   ECLECTIC         KWLGALXA

  Millry Telephone Co.                  CHATOM           CHTMALXA
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

**North Carolina:**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                          **WIRE CENTER**   **CLLI**
  ------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------
  Central Telephone Co. -- North        ASHEBORO          ASBONCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        ASHEBORO          ASBONCXB
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        HICKORY           BHLHNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        BISCOE            BISCNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        BOONVILLE         BNVLNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        CANDOR            CNDRNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        CATAWBA           CTWBNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        EDEN              EDENNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        EDEN              EDENNCXB
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        ELKIN             ELKNNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        GRANITE FALLS     GRFLNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        HICKORY           HCKRNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        HICKORY           HCKRNCXB
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        HILLSBOROUGH      HLBONCXB
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        HILDEBRAN         HLDBNCXB
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        MADISON           MDSNNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        MOCKSVILLE        MKVLNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        MT GILEAD         MTGLNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        HICKORY           MTVWNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        PILOT MT          PLMTNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        PROSPECT HILL     PRHLNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        WALNUT COVE       QKGPNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        RAMSEUR           RMSRNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        ROXBORO           RXBONCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        SEAGROVE          SEGVNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        SHERRILLS FORD    SHFRNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        STONEVILLE        STVLNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        ROUGEMONT         TMLKNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        TROY              TROYNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        VALDESE           VLDSNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        W END             WENDNCXB
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        WALKERTOWN        WKTWNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        WALNUT COVE       WLCVNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        YANCEYVILLE       YCVLNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Central Telephone Co. -- North        YADKINVILLE       YDVLNCXA
  Carolina                                                

  Surry Telephone Membership Corp.      SHOALS            SHLSNCXA
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

**EXHIBIT 4**

**[Non-Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in Cingular's ETC Service
Area]{.underline}**

**Alabama:**

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                            **WIRE CENTER**                            **CLLI**                 
  --------------------- ----------------- --------------------------- -------------- ------------------------ --
  **BellSouth (Study                      **ALBERTVILLE-MAIN**                       **ALVLALMA**             
  Area Code 255181)**                                                                                         

  **BellSouth**                           **ANNISTON-LENLOCK**                       **ANTNALLE**             

  **BellSouth**                           **ATHENS-ELK RIVER**                       **ATHNALER**             

  **BellSouth**                           **ATHENS-MAIN**                            **ATHNALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **ATTALLA-MAIN**                           **ATTLALNM**             

  **BellSouth**                           **BELLE FONTAINE**                         **BLFNALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **BOAZ-MAIN**                              **BOAZALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **BREWTON**                                **BRTOALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **BESSEMER-BUCKSVILLE**                    **BSMRALBU**             

  **BellSouth**                           **BAY MINETTE**                            **BYMNALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **CALERA**                                 **CALRALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **CHELSEA**                                **CHLSALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **COLUMBIANA**                             **CLMBALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **CULLMAN-JONES CHAPEL**                   **CLMNALJC**             

  **BellSouth**                           **CORDOVA**                                **CRDVALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **CARBON HILL**                            **CRHLALNM**             

  **BellSouth**                           **COURTLAND**                              **CRLDALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **DORA**                                   **DORAALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **EUTAW-BOLIGEE**                          **EUTWALBO**             

  **BellSouth**                           **EVERGREEN**                              **EVRGALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **FORT DEPOSIT**                           **FTDPALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **FORT PAYNE-MAIN**                        **FTPYALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **GADSDEN-HILLSIDE**                       **GDSDALHS**             

  **BellSouth**                           **GADSDEN-RAINBOW DRIVE**                  **GDSDALRD**             

  **BellSouth**                           **GARDENDALE**                             **GRDLALNM**             

  **BellSouth**                           **GURLEY-MAIN**                            **GRLYALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **GUNTERSVILLE-MAIN**                      **GTVLALNM**             

  **BellSouth**                           **GRAYSVILLE**                             **GYVLALNM**             

  **BellSouth**                           **HUNTSVILLE-REDSTONE                      **HNVIALRA**             
                                          ARSEN,**                                                            

  **BellSouth**                           **HANCEVILLE-BREMEN**                      **HNVLALBR**             

  **BellSouth**                           **HARTSELLE-MAIN**                         **HRTSALNM**             

  **BellSouth**                           **HARTSELLE-PENCE**                        **HRTSALPE**             

  **BellSouth**                           **HAZEL GREEN-MAIN**                       **HZGRALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **JACKSON**                                **JCSNALNM**             

  **BellSouth**                           **JACKSONVILLE-MAIN**                      **JCVLALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **JASPER**                                 **JSPRALMT**             

  **BellSouth**                           **KILLEN**                                 **KLLNALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **LEIGHTON**                               **LGTNALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **LIVINGSTON**                             **LVTNALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **MONTEVALLO**                             **MNTVALNM**             

  **BellSouth**                           **MOBILE-SARALAND**                        **MOBLALSA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **MOBILE-SEMMES**                          **MOBLALSE**             

  **BellSouth**                           **MOBILE-THEODORE**                        **MOBLALTH**             

  **BellSouth**                           **MOULTON**                                **MOLTALNM**             

  **BellSouth**                           **MONTGOMERY-MILLBROOK**                   **MTGMALMB**             

  **BellSouth**                           **MONTGOMERY-NORMANDALE**                  **MTGMALNO**             

  **BellSouth**                           **MT VERNON**                              **MTVRALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **OHATCHEE-MAIN**                          **OHTCALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **PIEDMONT-MAIN**                          **PDMTALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **PINSON**                                 **PNSNALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **PARRISH**                                **PRSHALNM**             

  **BellSouth**                           **PRATTVILLE**                             **PRVLALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **RED BAY**                                **RDBAALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **RUSSELLVILLE**                           **RLVLALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **ROGERSVILLE**                            **RRVLALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **SELMA**                                  **SELMALMT**             

  **BellSouth**                           **STEVENSON-MAIN**                         **STSNALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **SYLACAUGA**                              **SYLCALMT**             

  **BellSouth**                           **THOMASVILLE**                            **THVLALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **TALLADEGA-MAIN**                         **TLDGALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **TUSCALOOSA-NORTHPORT**                   **TSCLALNO**             

  **BellSouth**                           **TUSKEGEE**                               **TSKGALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **TOWN CREEK**                             **TWCKALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **UNIONTOWN**                              **UNTWALNM**             

  **BellSouth**                           **VINCENT**                                **VNCNALMA**             

  **BellSouth**                           **WARRIOR**                                **WRRRALNM**             

  **BellSouth**                           **WETUMPKA**                               **WTMPALMA**             

  **CenturyTel          **BAYOU LA                                    **BLBTALXA**                            
  (Northern) (Study     BATRE**                                                                               
  Area Code 259789)**                                                                                         

  **CenturyTel          **BRILLIANT**                                 **BRILALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **BERRY**                                     **BRRYALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **CHULAFINNEE**                               **CHLFALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **CARROLLTON**                                **CRTNALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **DOUBLE                                      **DBSPALXA**                            
  (Northern)**          SPRINGS**                                                                             

  **CenturyTel          **DELTA**                                     **DELTALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **ETHELSVILLE**                               **ETVLALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **FOWL RIVER**                                **FWRVALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **GRAND BAY**                                 **GDBAALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **GORDO**                                     **GORDALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **HACKLEBURG**                                **HCBGALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **HEFLIN**                                    **HFLNALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **HALEYVILLE**                                **HLVLALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **HAMILTON**                                  **HMTNALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **IRVINGTON**                                 **IRSEALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **LECTA**                                     **LECTALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **LINCOLN**                                   **LNCLALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **MORRISONS                                   **MRCRALXA**                            
  (Northern)**          XRDC12**                                                                              

  **CenturyTel          **PHIL CAMPBELL**                             **PHBLALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **PELL CITY**                                 **PLCYALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **THORSBY**                                   **THRSALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **VERNON**                                    **VERNALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **VALLEY HEAD**                               **VYHDALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **WEDOWEE**                                   **WEDWALXA**                            
  (Northern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **BRUNDIDGE**                                 **BRNDALXA**                            
  (Southern) (Study                                                                                           
  Area Code 259788)**                                                                                         

  **CenturyTel          **GEORGIANA**                                 **GRGNALXA**                            
  (Southern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **MIDLAND CITY**                              **MLCYALXA**                            
  (Southern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **SCOTTSBORO**                                **SCBOALXA**                            
  (Southern)**                                                                                                

  **CenturyTel          **WICKSBURG**                                 **WCBGALXA**                            
  (Southern)**                                                                                                
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Virginia:

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**               **WIRE CENTER**          **CLLI**
  -------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------
  Verizon South Inc.-VA      INDEPENDENT HILL         INHLVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      DALE CITY                DLCYVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      BOWLING GREEN            BWLGVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      COLONIAL BEACH           CLBHVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      DAWN                     DAWNVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      KING GEORGE              KGGRVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      KING WILLIAM             KGWLVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      LORTON                   LRTNVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      MANASSAS                 MNSSVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      OCCOQUAN                 OCQNVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      TAPPAHANNOCK             TPHNVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      WARSAW                   WRSWVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      BROADWAY                 BRWYVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      ELKTON                   EKTNVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      GREAT BRIDGE             GRBRVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      BATTLEFIELD              GRBRVAXB
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      HICKORY                  HCKRVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      HARRISONBURG             HRBGVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      MCGAHEYSVILLE            MGVLVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      PRINCESS ANNE            PRANVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      PUNGO                    PUNGVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon South Inc.-VA      SMITHFIELD               SMFDVAXA
  (Contel)                                            

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      ASHBURN                  ASBNVAAS

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      STEPHENS CITY            STCYVASC

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      HARTWOOD                 HRWDVAHW

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      BERRYVILLE               BEVLVABV

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      CAPE CHARLES             CPCHVACC

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      CULPEPER                 CLPPVACU

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      GORDONSVILLE             GOVLVAGV

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      LIGNUM                   CLPPVALI

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      LOUISA                   LOUSVALU

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      MARSHALL                 MRSHVAMA

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      ONANCOCK                 ONNCVAON

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      ORANGE                   ORNGVAOR

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      PARKSLEY                 PRKSVAPK

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      REVA                     CLPPVARV

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      SPERRYVILLE              SRVLVASP

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      SPOTSYLVANIA             SPTSVASP

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      TEMPERANCEVILLE          TMVLVATV

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      WARRENTOWN               WRTNVAWR

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      EXMORE                   EXMRVAEX

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      BEDFORD                  BDFRVABD

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      BETHIA                   BTHIVABT

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      NEW LONDON ROAD          LYBGVANL

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      POWHATAN                 PWHTVAPW

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      BONSACK                  RONKVABS

  Verizon Virginia Inc.      STEWARTSVILLE            SWVLVASV
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

**EXHIBIT 5**

**[Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in Cingular's ETC Service
Area]{.underline}**

Virginia:

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                   **WIRE CENTER**      **CLLI**
  ------------------------------ -------------------- --------------------
  Amelia Tel. Corp.              AMELIA COURT HOUSE   AMELVAXA

  Citizens Tel. Coop.-VA         ALUM RIDGE           ALRGVAXA

  Citizens Tel. Coop.-VA         BALLARD              BLLRVAXA

  Citizens Tel. Coop.-VA         FLOYD                FLYDVAXA

  Citizens Tel. Coop.-VA         LOCUST GRV           LCGVVAXA

  Citizens Tel. Coop.-VA         WILLIS               WILSVAXA

  NTELOS, Inc.                   CLIFTON FORGE        CFFRVAXA

  NTELOS, Inc.                   COVINGTON            CVTNVAXA

  NTELOS, Inc.                   POTTSCREEK           PTCKVAXA

  NTELOS, Inc.                   WAYNESBORO           WYBOVAXA

  Pembroke Tel. Coop.            NEWPORT,VA           NWPTVAXA

  Pembroke Tel. Coop.            PEMBROKE             PMBRVAXA

  Peoples Mutual Tel. Co.-VA     GRETNA               GRETVAXA

  Peoples Mutual Tel. Co.-VA     HURT                 HURTVAXA

  Peoples Mutual Tel. Co.-VA     RENAN                RENNVAXA

  Peoples Mutual Tel. Co.-VA     SANDYLEVEL           SNLVVAXA

  Roanoke & Botetourt Tel. Co.   EAGLE ROCK           EGRKVAXA

  Roanoke & Botetourt Tel. Co.   FINCASTLE            FNCSVAXA

  Roanoke & Botetourt Tel. Co.   ORISKANY             ORSKVAXA

  Roanoke & Botetourt Tel. Co.   TROUTVILLE           TRVLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         ALTAVISTA            ALTVVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         ARARAT               ARRTVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         ARVONIA              ARVNVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         AXTON                AXTNVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         BACHESHALL           BCHLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         BUCKINGHAM           BCHMVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         BLACKSTONE           BLCSVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         BOONESMILL           BNMLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         BUENAVISTA           BNVSVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         BROWNSBURG           BRBGVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         BRODNAX              BRDNVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         BROOKNEAL            BRKNVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         BURKEVILLE           BRVLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         BASSETT              BSSTVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         BURNTCHMNY           BTCHVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         BEAVERDAM            BVRDVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         CHARLOTSVL           CHVLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         CHARLOTSVL           CHVLVAXB

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         COLLINSVL            COVLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         CREWE                CREWVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         CROZET               CRZTVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         DILLWYN              DLWYVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         FORK UNION           FKUNVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         FIELDALE             FLDLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         FERRUM               FRRMVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         FRONTROYAL           FRRYVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         FARMVILLE            FRVLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         GLADYS               GLDYVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         GLASGOW              GLSGVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         GUM TREE             GMTRVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         HALIFAX              HLFXVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         HAMPDESDNY           HMSYVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         KENBRIDGE            KNBRVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         LA CROSSE            LACRVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         LURAY                LURYVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         LEXINGTON            LXTNVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         MEADOWSDAN           MDDNVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         MONTPELIER           MTPLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         BOONESMILL           MTVIVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         NATURALBDG           NTBRVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         PALMYRA              PLMYVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         PROSPECT             PRSPVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         ROCKYMOUNT           RCMTVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         RIDGEWAY             RDWYVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         RUSTBURG             RSBGVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         SO BOSTON            SBTNVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         SCHUYLER             SCHLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         SCOTTSVL             SCVLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         STANARDSVL           SDVLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         SHENANDOAH           SHNDVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         SPENCER              SPNCVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         SOUTH HILL           STHLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         STANLEY              STNLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         STUART               STRTVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         TURBEVILLE           TBVLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         UNION HALL           UNHLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         VICTORIA             VCTAVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         VOLENS               VLNSVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         VIRGILINA            VRGLVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         WASHINGTON           WASHVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         WHITMELL             WHTMVAXA

  Central Tel. Co. of VA         WOOLWINE             WLWNVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     ABINGDON             ABNGVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     AUSTINVL             ATVLVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     BLAND                BLNDVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     BRISTOL              BRSTVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     CANA                 CANAVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     CERES                CERSVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     CHILHOWIE            CHLHVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     CMSRKELCRK           CMRKVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     CRIPPLECRK           CRCKVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     DAMASCUS             DMSCVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     FRIES                FRISVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     GALAX                GALXVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     GLADE SPG            GDSPVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     GATE CITY            GTCYVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     HILLSVILLE           HLVLVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     INDEPNDNCE           INDPVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     KONNAROCK            KNRKVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     LAURELFORK           LRFKVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     MARION               MARNVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     MEADOWVIEW           MDVWVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     MOUTHWILSN           MTWLVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     MAXMEADOWS           MXMDVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     RICHVALLEY           RCVYVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     RURALRTRET           RRRTVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     SUGARGROVE           SGGVVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     SALTVILLE            SLVLVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     SYLVATUS             SYLVVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              

  United Inter-Mountain Tel.     WYTHEVILLE           WYVLVAXA
  Co.-VA                                              
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

**EXHIBIT 6**

**[Non-Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in Corr's Alabama ETC Service
Area]{.underline}**

  ------------------------------------------ ------------------- ------------
  **LEC NAME**                               **WIRE CENTER**     **CLLI**

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Anniston-Lenlock    ANTNALLE
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Anniston-Main       ANTNALMT
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Anniston-Oxford     ANTNALOX
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Bowden              BWDNGAMA
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Bridgeport-Main     BRPTALMA
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Courtland           CRLDALMA
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Fort Payne-Main     FTPYALMA
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Gadsden-Hillside    GDSDALHS
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Goodwater           GDWRALMA
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Gurley-Main         GRLYALMA
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Jacksonville-Main   JCVLALMA
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Moulton             MOLTALNM
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Ohatchee-Main       OHTCALMA
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Piedmont-Main       PDMTALMA
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Stevenson-Main      STSNALMA
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Tallapossa          TLLPGAES
  South Central Bell                                             

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a   Town Creek          TWCKALMA
  South Central Bell                                             
  ------------------------------------------ ------------------- ------------

**EXHIBIT 7**

**[Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in Corr's Alabama ETC Service
Area]{.underline}**

  ---------------------------- ------------------- -----------------------
  **LEC NAME**                 **WIRE CENTER**     **CLLI**

  Roanoke Telephone Co., Inc.  Roanoke             RONKALXA

  Roanoke Telephone Co., Inc.  Rock Mills          RCMLALXA

  Ardmore Telephone Co.        Ardmore             ARMRALXA

  Ardmore Telephone Co.        Elkmont             ELMTALXA

  Ardmore Telephone Co.        New Market          NWMRALXA
  ---------------------------- ------------------- -----------------------

**EXHIBIT 8**

**[Non-Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in Dobson's New York ETC Service
Area]{.underline}**

+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| **LEC NAME**              | **WIRE CENTER** | **CLLI**              |
+===========================+=================+=======================+
| Frontier Telephone of     | COHOCTON        | CHCNNYXA              |
| Rochester (Study Area     |                 |                       |
| Code 150121)              |                 |                       |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Frontier Telephone of     | CASTILE         | CSTLNYXA              |
| Rochester                 |                 |                       |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Frontier Telephone of     | LEROY           | LROYNYXA              |
| Rochester                 |                 |                       |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Frontier Telephone of     | PAVILION        | PVLNNYXA              |
| Rochester                 |                 |                       |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Frontier Telephone of     | WARSAW          | WRSWNYXA              |
| Rochester                 |                 |                       |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Frontier Telephone of     | WYOMING         | WYNGNYXA              |
| Rochester                 |                 |                       |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | AMENIA          | AMENNYAN              |
|                           |                 |                       |
| (Study Area Code 155130)  |                 |                       |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | ANGELICA        | ANGENYAG              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | ARKPORT         | ARPTNYAR              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | ATTICA          | ATTCNYAT              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | AVON            | AVOCNYXA              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | BOOTH           | BATHNYBH              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | BATAVIA         | BATVNYBT              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | BEACON          | BECNNYBE              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | BELFAST         | BLFSNYBZ              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | BELMONT         | BLMTNYBM              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | BLISS           | BLSSNYBS              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | BOLIVAR         | BLVRNYBX              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CAIRO           | CAIRNYCA              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CANAAN          | CANSNYXA              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CHERRY CREEK    | CHCKNYCE              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CHERRY VALLEY   | CHVYNYZV              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CALLICOON       | CLCNNYCN              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CLINTON CORNERS | CLCRNYCC              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CLAVERACK       | CLVRNYCV              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CAMPBELL        | CMPBNYCP              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CAMERON         | CMRNNYCF              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CLINTONDALE     | CNDLNYCL              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | COOPERSTOWN     | CPTWNYZW              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CORNWALL        | CRNWNYCW              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CATON           | CTONNYZN              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CATTARAUGUS     | CTRGNYSO              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CATSKILL        | CTSKNYCT              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | CUBA            | CUBANYEM              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | DUNKIRK         | DNKRNYDK              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | DOVER PLAINS    | DVPLNYDP              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | DAVENPORT       | DVPTNYDT              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | EDMESTON        | EDTNNYET              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | ELLICOTTVILLE   | ELCVNYEV              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | ELLENVILLE      | ELVLNYEL              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | FRANKLINVILLE   | FKVLNYFK              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | FALLSBURG       | FLBGNYFB              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | FLEISCHMANNS    | FLSCNYFM              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | FREEHOLD        | FRHDNYFH              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | FRIENDSHIP      | FRSHNYFS              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | FORESTVILLE     | FSVLNYFL              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | GRAHAMSVILLE    | GHVLNYGH              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | GRAND GORG      | GRGRNYGG              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | GREENWOOD LAKE  | GRLKNYGL              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | HOBART          | HBRTNYHZ              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | HUDSON          | HDSNNYHD              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | HIGHLAND        | HGLDNYHG              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | HIGHLAND FALLS  | HHFLNYHF              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | HIGH FALLS      | HIFLNYHF              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | HINSDALE        | HNDLNYHI              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | HUNTER          | HNTRNYHN              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | HORNELL         | HRNLNYHL              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | HARTWICK        | HRWKNYHW              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | HYDE PARK       | HYPKNYHK              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | JEFFERSONVILLE  | JFVLNYJF              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | KINGSTON        | KGTNNYKG              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | KERHONKSON      | KRHNNYKR              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | LIBERTY         | LBRTNYLB              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | LAKE HUNTINGTON | LKHNNYLH              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | LAKE KATRINE    | LKKTNYLK              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | LIMESTONE       | LMSTNYLM              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | LINDLEY         | LNDYNYLN              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | LITTLE VALLEY   | LTVYNYLI              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | LIVINGSTON      | LVMNNYLV              |
|                           | MANOR           |                       |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | LEXINGTON       | LXTNNYLX              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | MACHIAS         | MCHSNYMA              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | MILLBROOK       | MLBKNYML              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | MILFORD         | MLFRNYMU              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | MILTON          | MLTNNYMN              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | MONTICELLO      | MNTINYMT              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | MARLBORO        | MRBONYMB              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | NORTH CLOVE     | NCLVNYNC              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | NEWBURGH        | NWBRNYNW              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | NEWBURGH WEST   | NWBRNYWT              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | NEW PALTZ       | NWPLNYNP              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | NEW WINDSOR     | NWWNNYNW              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | OLEAN           | OLENNYHA              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | ONEONTA         | ONNTNYOA              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | OTEGO           | OTEGNYOT              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | POU             | PGHKNYSH              |
|                           | GHKEEPSIE-SOUTH |                       |
|                           | HAMILTON        |                       |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | POUGHKEEP       | PGHKNYSP              |
|                           | SIE-SPACKENKILL |                       |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | PHILMONT        | PHMTNYPM              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | PHOENICIA       | PHNCNYPH              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | PALENVILLE      | PLVLNYPL              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | PORTVILLE       | PRTVNYPV              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | PRATTSVILLE     | PRVINYPR              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | PLEASANT VALLEY | PVYDNYPD              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | PAWLING         | PWNGNYSS              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | RICHMONDVILLE   | RCVLNYRH              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | ROSENDALE       | RODLNYRD              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | RUSHFORD        | RSFRNYRF              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | ROXBURY         | RXBYNYRX              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | SCHENEVUS       | SCHVNYQN              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | SOUTH DAYTON    | SDTNNYPI              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | SAUGERTIES      | SGRTNYSG              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | SHOKAN          | SHKNNYSK              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | SHARON SPRINGS  | SHSPNYQS              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | SALAMANCA       | SLMNNYWW              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | STAMFORD        | SMFRNYQM              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | STANFORDVILLE   | STNVNYST              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | TANNERSVILLE    | TNVLNYTN              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | TUXEDO          | TUXDNYTX              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | VARYSBURG       | VRBGNYVB              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | WOODSTOCK       | WDSTNYWS              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | WHITE LAKE      | WHLKNYWH              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | WELLSVILLE      | WLVLNYNM              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | WINGDALE        | WNDLNYWD              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | WINDHAM         | WNHMNYWM              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | WAPPINGERS      | WPFLNYWF              |
|                           | FALLS           |                       |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Verizon - New York Inc.   | WORCESTER       | WRCSNYUC              |
+---------------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+

**EXHIBIT 9**

> **[Rural Study Areas for Inclusion in Dobson's New York ETC Service
> Area]{.underline}**
>
> Armstrong Tel. Co. -- NY (Study Area Code 150071)
>
> Berkshire Tel. Co. (Study Area Code 150073)
>
> Cassadaga Tel. Corp. (Study Area Code 150076)
>
> Chautauqua & Erie Tel. Corp. (Study Area Code 150078)
>
> Citizens-Red Hook (Study Area Code 154533)
>
> Delhi Tel. Co. (Study Area Code 150088)
>
> Dunkirk & Fredonia Tel. Co. (Study Area Code 150091)
>
> FC of New York, Inc. (Study Area Code 150100)
>
> FC of Sylvan Lake, Inc. (Study Area Code 150128)
>
> Germantown Tel. Co., Inc. (Study Area Code 150097)
>
> Hancock Tel. Co. NY (Study Area Code 150099)
>
> Jamestown Tel. Co. (Study Area Code 150109)
>
> Margaretville Tel. Co., Inc. (Study Area Code 150104)
>
> Warwick Valley -- NY (Study Area Code 150135)

**EXHIBIT 10**

**[Rural Service Areas Requiring Reclassification]{.underline}**

**[Along Wire Center Boundaries for Inclusion]{.underline}**

**[In Dobson's New York ETC Service Area]{.underline}**

+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| **LEC NAME**                | **WIRE CENTER**   | **CLLI**           |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| Citizens Tel. Co. of NY     | CORFO             | CORFNYXA           |
|                             |                   |                    |
| (Study Area Code 154534)    |                   |                    |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| Citizens Tel. Co. of NY     | Darien            | DARNNYXA           |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| Citizens Tel. Co. of NY     | Downsville        | DSVLNYXA           |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| Citizens Tel. Co. of NY     | Narrowsburg       | NRBGNYXB           |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| Citizens Tel. Co. of NY     | Roscoe            | ROSCNYXA           |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| Citizens Tel. Co. of NY     | Walton            | WLTNNYXA           |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| Empire Tel. Corp.           | Pulteney          | PLTNNYXA           |
|                             |                   |                    |
| (Study Area Code 150093)    |                   |                    |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| Taconic Tel. Corp.          | Canaan            | CANNNYXA           |
|                             |                   |                    |
| (Study Area Code 150084)    |                   |                    |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| Taconic Tel. Corp.          | Chatham           | CHHMNYXA           |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| Taconic Tel. Corp.          | Copake            | COPKNYXA           |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| Taconic Tel. Corp.          | Hillsdale         | HLDLNYXA           |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| Taconic Tel. Corp.          | Millerton         | MLLTNYXA           |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| Taconic Tel. Corp.          | Pine Plains       | PNPLNYXA           |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| Taconic Tel. Corp.          | West Lebanon      | WLBNNYXA           |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| The Middleburgh Telephone   | Bramanville       | BRMVNYXA           |
| Company                     |                   |                    |
|                             |                   |                    |
| (Study Area Code 150105)    |                   |                    |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+
| The Middleburgh Telephone   | Summit            | SMMTNYXA           |
| Company                     |                   |                    |
+-----------------------------+-------------------+--------------------+

**EXHIBIT 11**

Non-Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in Farmers' Alabama ETC Service
Area

  -------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------------
  **LEC NAME**                     **WIRE CENTER**   **CLLI**

  BellSouth Telecommunications,    ALBERTVILLE       ALVLALMA
  Inc.                                               

  BellSouth Telecommunications,    BOAZ              BOAZALMA
  Inc.                                               

  BellSouth Telecommunications,    GUNTERSVILLE      GTVLALNM
  Inc.                                               

  BellSouth Telecommunications,    GURLEY            GRLYALMA
  Inc.                                               

  CenturyTel of Alabama, L.L.C.    MENTONE           MENTALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, L.L.C.    SCOTTSBORO        SCBOALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, L.L.C.    SECTION           SECTALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, L.L.C.    SKYLINE           SKLNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, L.L.C.    VALLEY HEAD       VYHDALXA
  -------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------------

**EXHIBIT 12**

Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in Farmers' Alabama ETC Service Area

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                        **WIRE CENTER**  **CLLI**
  ----------------------------------- ---------------- ------------------
  Farmers Telecommunications Coop.    BRYANT           BRYNALXA
  Inc.                                                 

  Farmers Telecommunications Coop.    FLAT ROCK        FLRKALXA
  Inc.                                                 

  Farmers Telecommunications Coop.    FYFFE            FYFFALXA
  Inc.                                                 

  Farmers Telecommunications Coop.    GERALDINE        GLDNALXA
  Inc.                                                 

  Farmers Telecommunications Coop.    HENAGAR          HNGRALXA
  Inc.                                                 

  Farmers Telecommunications Coop.    PISGAH           PSGHALXA
  Inc.                                                 

  Farmers Telecommunications Coop.    RAINSVILLE       RNVLALXA
  Inc.                                                 
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

**EXHIBIT 13**

Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in NEP's Pennsylvania ETC Service Area

  ----------------------------- ------------------- ----------------------
  **LEC NAME**                  **WIRE CENTER**     **CLLI**

  Deposit Telephone Co. Inc.    Sherman             DPSTNYXA

  Hancock Telephone Co. NY      Winterdale          HNCCNYXA
  ----------------------------- ------------------- ----------------------

**EXHIBIT 14**

**[Service Areas Requiring Reclassification]{.underline}**

**[Along Wire Center Boundaries for Inclusion]{.underline}**

**[In NEP's Pennsylvania ETC Service Area]{.underline}**

  -------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------
  **LEC NAME**                     **WIRE CENTER**     **CLLI**

  Citizens Telecommunications Co.  Brooklyn            BRKLPAXB
  of NY d/b/a Frontier                                 
  Communications of NY                                 

  Citizens Telecommunications Co.  Hallstead           HLSTPAXH
  of NY d/b/a Frontier                                 
  Communications of NY                                 

  Citizens Telecommunications Co.  Lawsville           LYCNPAXL
  of NY d/b/a Frontier                                 
  Communications of NY                                 

  Citizens Telecommunications Co.  Little Meadows-PA   LTMDPAXL
  of NY d/b/a Frontier                                 
  Communications of NY                                 

  Citizens Telecommunications Co.  Montrose            MTRSPAXM
  of NY d/b/a Frontier                                 
  Communications of NY                                 

  Citizens Telecommunications Co.  Quaker Lake-PA      QKLKPAXQ
  of NY d/b/a Frontier                                 
  Communications of NY                                 

  Citizens Telecommunications Co.  Rush                RUSHPAXR
  of NY d/b/a Frontier                                 
  Communications of NY                                 

  Citizens Telecommunications Co.  St Joseph           STJSPAXS
  of NY d/b/a Frontier                                 
  Communications of NY                                 

  Citizens Telecommunications Co.  Susquehanna         SSQHPAXS
  of NY d/b/a Frontier                                 
  Communications of NY                                 

  Verizon North Inc.- Quaker State Galilee             GALLPAXG
  -------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------

**EXHIBIT 15**

**[Non-Rural Service Area for Inclusion in NY RSA 2's New York ETC
Service Area]{.underline}**

Verizon New York, Inc. (Study Area Code 155130)

**EXHIBIT 16**

**[Rural Service Areas for Inclusion in NY RSA 2's New York ETC Service
Area]{.underline}**

Champlain Telephone Company (Study Area Code 150077)

Chazy & Westport Telephone Corp. (Study Area Code 150079)

Crown Point Telephone Corp. (Study Area Code 150085)

Frontier Communications of Ausable Valley (Study Area Code 150072)

**EXHIBIT 17**

**[Service Areas Requiring Reclassification]{.underline}**

**[Along Wire Center Boundaries for Inclusion]{.underline}**

In NY RSA 2's New York ETC Service Area

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                       **WIRE CENTER**    **CLLI**
  ---------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------
  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of ADAMS              ADMSNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of ADAMS CENTER       ADCTNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of ALFRED             ALFENYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of ALMOND             ALMDNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of ANDOVER            ANDVNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of APALACHIN          APLCNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of BAINBRIDGE         BNBRNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of BARRYVILLE         BYVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of BELLEVILLE         BLVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of BERKSHIRE          BRKSNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of BLOOMINGBURG       BMBGNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE BMLKNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of BOONVILLE          BNVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of BRANCHPORT         BNPTNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of BROADALBIN         BRDBNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of BROOKFIELD         BRFDNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of CANAJOHARIE        CNJHNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of CANDOR             CNDRNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of CAROGA LAKE        CGLKNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of CATO               CATONYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of CHEMUNG            CHMGNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of CHENANGO BRIDGE    CHBRNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of CHESTERTOWN        CHRTNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of CINCINNATUS        CNCNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of CLAYVILLE          CYVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of CONSTABLEVILLE     CSTVNYXB
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of CORFU              CORFNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of CORINTH            CRNTNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of CROGHAN            CRGHNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of DALTON             DLTNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of DARIEN             DARNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of DE RUYTER          DRTRNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of DENTON             DNTNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of DOWNSVILLE         DSVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of DRYDEN             DRYDNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of DUNDEE             DUNDNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of EAGLE BAY          EGBANYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of EARLVILLE          ERVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of ELIZAVILLE         EZVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of ETNA               ETNANYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of FAIR HAVEN         FHNCNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications   (CAYUGA)           

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of FONDA              FONDNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of FORESTPORT         FOPTNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of FORT PLAIN         FTPLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of FRANKLIN           FKLNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of GEORGETOWN         GRTWNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of GILBERTSVILLE      GBVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of GLEN               GLENNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of GLOVERSVILLE       GLVNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of GREENE             GRNENYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of GREENWOOD          GNWDNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of GUILFORD           GUFDNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of HAMMONDSPORT       HMPTNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of HANNIBAL           HNBLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of HAWLEYTON          HWTNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of HENDERSON          HNSNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of INDIAN LAKE        INLKNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of JASPER             JSPRNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of JOHNSTOWN          JHTWNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of LUZERNE            LZRNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of LAKE PLEASANT      LKPLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of LEONARDSVILLE      LNRVNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of LOCKWOOD           LCWDNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of LONG LAKE          LLKHNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications   (HAMILTON)         

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of LOWVILLE           LOWVNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of LYONS FALLS        LYFLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of LYSANDER           LYSNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of MADISON            MDSNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of MANNSVILLE         MNVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of MARATHON           MRTHNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of MASONVILLE         MSVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of MAYFIELD           MYFDNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of MCDONOUGH          MCDNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of MIDDLETOWN         MDTWNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of MORRIS             MRRSNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of MORRISVILLE        MRVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of MOUNT UPTON        MTUPNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of NARROWSBURG        NRBGNYXB
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of NEW BERLIN         NWBLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of NEW WOODSTOCK      NWWDNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of NEWARK VALLEY      NWVYNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of NEWCOMB            NWCMNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of NORTH BROOKFIELD   NBFDNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of NORTH CREEK        NRCKNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of NORTHVILLE         NRVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of NORWICH            NRWCNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of OLD FORGE          OLDFNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of OTISVILLE          OTVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of OXFORD             OXFRNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of PORT JERVIS        PTJRNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of PULASKI            PLSKNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of RAQUETTE LAKE      RQLKNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of RED HOOK           RDHKNYXB
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of REMSEN             REMSNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of RHINEBECK          RHNBNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of ROSCOE             ROSCNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of SANBORN            SNBRNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of SANDY CREEK        SNCKNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of SCOTCHTOWN         SCTWNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of SHERBURNE          SHBNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of SIDNEY             SDNYNYXB
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of SLATE HILL         SLHLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of SLATERVILLE        SLSPNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications   SPRINGS            

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of SMYRNA             SMYRNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of SOUTH NEW BERLIN   SNBLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of SOUTH OTSELIC      SOTSNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of SPENCER            SPNCNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of ST JOHNSVILLE      STJNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of STAATSBURG         STATNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of TIVOLI             TIVONYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of TRIBES HILL        TRHLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of TRUXTON            TXTNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of UNADILLA           UNADNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of UNIONVILLE         UVLONYXF
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications   (ORANGE)           

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of VIRGIL             VRGLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of WALTON             WLTNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of WATERVILLE         WTVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of WAYNE              WAYNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of WELLS              WLLSNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of WEST VALLEY        WSVYNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of WHITNEY POINT      WHPNNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of WILLIAMSTOWN       WLTWNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of WURTSBORO          WRBONYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of FILLMORE           FLMRNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      

  Citizens Telecommunications Co. of CIRCLEVILLE        CRVLNYXA
  NY d/b/a Frontier Communications                      
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

**EXHIBIT 18**

Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in Pine Belt's Alabama ETC Service Area

  ------------------------------------ ------------------ ---------------
  **LEC NAME**                         **WIRE CENTER**    **CLLI**

  Butler Telephone Co. Inc. (Study     BUTLER             BTLRALXADS0
  Area Code 250284)                                       

  Butler Telephone Co. Inc.            LISMAN             LSMNALXADS0

  Butler Telephone Co. Inc.            NEEDHAM            NDHMALXARS0

  Butler Telephone Co. Inc.            PENNINGTON         PNTNALXARS0

  Frontier CM -- Alabama (Study Area   PINE APPLE         PNAPALXARS0
  Code 250306)                                            

  Frontier CM SO -- AL (Study Area     CAMDEN             CMDNALXADS0
  Code 250318)                                            

  Frontier CM SO -- AL                 CATHERINE          CTHRALXARS0

  Frontier CM SO -- AL                 THOMASTON          THMTALXARS0

  Frontier CM SO -- AL                 VREDENBG           VRBGALXARS0

  Millary Telephone (Study Area Code   GILBERTOWN         GLTWALXADS0
  250304)                                                 

  Millary Telephone                    SILAS              MLRYALXADS0

  Millary Telephone                    FRANKVILLE         MLRYALXADS0

  Pine Belt Telephone Co. Inc. (Study  ARLINGTON          ARTNALXARS0
  Area Code 250315)                                       

  Pine Belt Telephone Co. Inc.         DIXONS MILLS       DXMALXADS0

  Pine Belt Telephone Co. Inc.         NANAFALIA          NNFLALXARS0

  Pine Belt Telephone Co. Inc.         SWEETWATER         SWWRALXARS0
  ------------------------------------ ------------------ ---------------

**EXHIBIT 19**

Non-Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in RCC's Alabama ETC Service Area

  ------------------------------------ ------------------- --------------
  **LEC NAME**                         **WIRE CENTER**     **CLLI**

  BellSouth Telecom. Inc. d/b/a        AUBURN              AUBNALUA
  Central Bell Tel.                                        

  BellSouth Telecom. Inc. d/b/a        CLANTON             CLANALMA
  Central Bell Tel.                                        

  BellSouth Telecom. Inc. d/b/a        GEORGETOWN          EUFLALMA
  Central Bell Tel.                                        

  BellSouth Telecom. Inc. d/b/a        HURTSBORO           HRBOALOM
  Central Bell Tel.                                        

  BellSouth Telecom. Inc. d/b/a        OPELIKA             OPLKALMT
  Central Bell Tel.                                        

  BellSouth Telecom. Inc. d/b/a        PHENIXCITY          PHCYALFM
  Central Bell Tel.                    (PHCYALFM)          

  BellSouth Telecom. Inc. d/b/a        PHENIXCITY          PHCYALMA
  Central Bell Tel.                    (PHCYALMA)          

  BellSouth Telecom. Inc. d/b/a        TROY                TROYALMA
  Central Bell Tel.                                        

  Century Telephone of Alabama, LLC    ABBEVILLE           ABVLALXA

  Century Telephone of Alabama, LLC    ARITON              ARITALXA

  Century Telephone of Alabama, LLC    CLIO                CLIOALXA

  Century Telephone of Alabama, LLC    COLUMBIA            CLMAALXA

  Century Telephone of Alabama, LLC    DALEVILLE           DLVLALXA

  Century Telephone of Alabama, LLC    DOTHAN              DTHNALXA

  Century Telephone of Alabama, LLC    ECHO                ECHOALXA

  Century Telephone of Alabama, LLC    HEADLAND            HDLDALXA

  Century Telephone of Alabama, LLC    LOUISVILLE          LSVLALXA

  Century Telephone of Alabama, LLC    MIDLAND CY          MLCYALXA

  Century Telephone of Alabama, LLC    NEWTON              NWTNALXA

  Century Telephone of Alabama, LLC    NEWVILLE            NWVIALXA

  Century Telephone of Alabama, LLC    OZARK               OZRKALXA

  Century Telephone of Alabama, LLC    WICKSBURG           WCBGALXA
  ------------------------------------ ------------------- --------------

**EXHIBIT 20**

Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in RCC's Alabama ETC Service Area

  ------------------------------------ ------------------- ---------------
  **LEC NAME**                         **WIRE CENTER**     **CLLI**

  Graceba Total Communications         GORDON              GRDNALXA

  Valley Telephone Co., Inc.           LANGDALE            LNDLALXA
  ------------------------------------ ------------------- ---------------

**EXHIBIT 21**

**[Non-Rural Service Areas for Inclusion in SouthernLINC's Alabama ETC
Service Area]{.underline}**

BellSouth Telecommunications (Study Area Code 255181)

**EXHIBIT 22**

**[Rural Study Areas for Inclusion in SouthernLINC's Alabama ETC Service
Area]{.underline}**

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                       **WIRE CENTER**       **CLLI**
  ---------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------
  Alltel Alabama, Inc.               Ashville              AHVLALXA

  Alltel Alabama, Inc.               Camp Hill             CMPHALXA

  Alltel Alabama, Inc.               Eclectic              ECLCALXA

  Alltel Alabama, Inc.               Kowaliga              KWLGALXA

  Alltel Alabama, Inc.               Leeds                 LEDSALXA

  Alltel Alabama, Inc.               Leeds                 LEDSALXB

  Alltel Alabama, Inc.               Odenville             ODVLALXA

  Alltel Alabama, Inc.               Springvl              SPVLALXA

  Blountsville Telephone Company,    BLOUNTSVL             BUVLALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Blountsville Telephone Company,    NECTAR                NCTRALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Brindlee Mountain Telephone        ARAB                  ARABALXA
  Company                                                  

  Brindlee Mountain Telephone        MORGANCITY            MRCYALXA
  Company                                                  

  Brindlee Mountain Telephone        UNIONGROVE            UNGVALXA
  Company                                                  

  Butler Telephone Company, Inc.     BUTLER                BTLRALXA

  Butler Telephone Company, Inc.     GOSHEN                GSHNALXA

  Butler Telephone Company, Inc.     GROVE HILL            GVHLALXA

  Butler Telephone Company, Inc.     LISMAN                LSMNALXA

  Butler Telephone Company, Inc.     NEEDHAM               NDHMALXA

  Butler Telephone Company, Inc.     PENNINGTON            PNTNALXA

  Castleberry Telephone Company,     CASTLEBRY             CSTLALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         ABBEVILLE             ABVLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         ALBERTA               ALBRALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         ALICEVILLE            ACVLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         ANDALUSIA             ANDSALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         ARITON                ARITALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         ASHLAND               ASLDALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         BANKS                 BNKSALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         BAYOUBATRE            BLBTALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         BERRY                 BRRYALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         BRANTLEY              BTLYALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         BRILLIANT             BRILALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         BRUNDIDGE             BRNDALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         CARROLLTON            CRTNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         CHULAFINNE            CHLFALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         CLIO                  CLIOALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         COFFEEVL              CFVLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         COLUMBIA              CLMAALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         DALEVILLE             DLVLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         DAUPHIN IS            DPISALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         DELTA                 DELTALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         DETROIT               DTRTALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         DOTHAN                DTHNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         DOUBLE SPG            DBSPALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         DOZIER                DOZRALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         ECHO                  ECHOALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         ELBA                  ELBAALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         ENTERPRISE            ENTRALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         ETHELSVL              ETVLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         FALKVILLE             FLVLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         FAYETTE               FYTTALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         FORESTHOME            FRHMALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         FOWL RIVER            FWRVALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         GANTT                 GNTTALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         GENEVA                GENVALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         GEORGIANA             GRGNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         GORDO                 GORDALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         GRAND BAY             GDBAALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         GREENVILLE            GNVLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         GUIN                  GUINALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         HACKLEBURG            HCBGALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         HALEYVILLE            HLVLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         HAMILTON              HMTNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         HARTFORD              HRFRALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         HEADLAND              HDLDALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         HEFLIN                HFLNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         IRNGTNSTEL            IRSEALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         JEMISON               JMSNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         KINSTON               KSTNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         LECTA                 LECTALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         LINCOLN               LNCLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         LINEVILLE             LNVLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         LOUISEVILLE           LSVLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         LUVERNE               LVRNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         MASSEY                MSSYALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         MCKENZIE              MCKNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         MENTONE               MENTALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         MIDLAND CY            MLCYALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         MRNSCRSRDS            MRCRALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         NEWBROCKTN            NWBCALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         NEWTON                NWTNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         NEWVILLE              NWVIALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         NOTASULGA             NTSLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         ODEN RIDGE            ODRGALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         OPP                   OPPALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         ORRIVLLE              ORVLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         OZARK                 OZRKALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         PANOLA                PANLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         PELL CITY             PLCYALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         PHILCMPBLL            PHBLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         PINE HILL             PNHLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         RED LEVEL             RDLVALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         REFORM                RFRMALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         ROCKFORD              RCFRALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         SAMSON                SMSNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         SCOTTSBORO            SCBOALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         SECTION               SECTALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         SKYLINE               SKLNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         SLOCOMB               SLCMALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         SULLIGENT             SLGNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         SURFSIDE              PLCYALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         TALLASSEE             TLLSALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         THORSBY               THRSALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         TRUSSVILLE            TSVLALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         VALLEYHEAD            VYHDALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         VERNON                VERNALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         WADLEY                WDLYALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         WEDOWEE               WEDWALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         WICKSBURG             WCBGALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         WINFIELD              WNFDALXA

  CenturyTel of Alabama, LLC         WOODLAND              WDLDALXA

  Farmers Telephone Cooperative,     BRYANT                BRYNALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Farmers Telephone Cooperative,     FLAT ROCK             FLRKALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Farmers Telephone Cooperative,     FYFFE                 FYFFALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Farmers Telephone Cooperative,     GERALDINE             GLDNALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Farmers Telephone Cooperative,     HENAGAR               HNGRALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Farmers Telephone Cooperative,     PISGAH                PSGHALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Farmers Telephone Cooperative,     RAINSVILLE            RNVLALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Frontier Communications of         BEATRICE              BTRCALXA
  Alabama, Inc.                                            

  Frontier Communications of         EXCEL                 EXCLALXA
  Alabama, Inc.                                            

  Frontier Communications of         FINCHBURG             FNBGALXA
  Alabama, Inc.                                            

  Frontier Communications of         FRISCOCITY            FRCYALXA
  Alabama, Inc.                                            

  Frontier Communications of         GOSPORT               GSPTALXA
  Alabama, Inc.                                            

  Frontier Communications of         MONROEVL              MOVLALXA
  Alabama, Inc.                                            

  Frontier Communications of         PETERMAN              PTMNALXA
  Alabama, Inc.                                            

  Frontier Communications of         PINE APPLE            PNAPALXA
  Alabama, Inc.                                            

  Frontier Communications of         REPTON                RPTNALXA
  Alabama, Inc.                                            

  Frontier Communications of         URIAH                 URIHALXA
  Alabama, Inc.                                            

  Frontier Communications of Lamar   KENNEDY               KNDYALXA
  County, Inc.                                             

  Frontier Communications of Lamar   MILLPORT              MLPTALXA
  County, Inc.                                             

  Frontier Communications of the     ATMORE                ATMRALXA
  South, Inc. -- AL                                        

  Frontier Communications of the     CAMDEN                CMDNALXA
  South, Inc. -- AL                                        

  Frontier Communications of the     CATHERINE             CTHRALXA
  South, Inc. -- AL                                        

  Frontier Communications of the     HUXFORD               HXFRALXA
  South, Inc. -- AL                                        

  Frontier Communications of the     MCCULLOUGH            MCCLALXA
  South, Inc. -- AL                                        

  Frontier Communications of the     THOMASTON             THMTALXA
  South, Inc. -- AL                                        

  Frontier Communications of the     VREDENBG              VRBGALXA
  South, Inc. -- AL                                        

  Graceba Total Communications, Inc. ASHFORD               ASFRALXA

  Graceba Total Communications, Inc. COTTONWOOD            CTWDALXA

  Graceba Total Communications, Inc. GORDON                GRDNALXA

  GTC, Inc.                          FLORALA               FLRLALXA

  Gulf Telephone Company             BON SECOUR            BNSCALXA

  Gulf Telephone Company             ELBERTA               ELBTALXA

  Gulf Telephone Company             ELBERTA               ELBTALXB

  Gulf Telephone Company             FOLEY                 FOLYALXA

  Gulf Telephone Company             FOLEY                 FOLYALXB

  Gulf Telephone Company             FOLEY                 MRLWALXA

  Gulf Telephone Company             FORTMORGAN            FTMRALXA

  Gulf Telephone Company             FORTMORGAN            FTMRALXB

  Gulf Telephone Company             GULFSHORES            GLSHALXA

  Gulf Telephone Company             GULFSHORES            GLSHALXB

  Gulf Telephone Company             LILLIAN               LLLNALXA

  Gulf Telephone Company             LILLIAN               LLLNALXB

  Gulf Telephone Company             LOXLEY                LXLYALXA

  Gulf Telephone Company             LOXLEY                LXLYALXB

  Gulf Telephone Company             MAGNOLISPG            MGSPALXA

  Gulf Telephone Company             ORANGE BCH            ORBHALXA

  Gulf Telephone Company             ORANGE BCH            ORBHALXC

  Gulf Telephone Company             ORANGE BCH            ORBHALXD

  Gulf Telephone Company             ROBERTSDL             RBDLALXA

  Gulf Telephone Company             ROBERTSDL             RBDLALXB

  Gulf Telephone Company             SEMINOLE              SMNLALXA

  Gulf Telephone Company             SEMINOLE              SMNLALXB

  Gulf Telephone Company             SUMMERDALE            SRDLALXA

  Hayneville Telephone Company, Inc. GORDONSVL             GOVLALXA

  Hayneville Telephone Company, Inc. HAYNEVILLE            HYVLALXA

  Hayneville Telephone Company, Inc. LOWNDESBO             LWBOALXA

  Hopper Telecommunications Company  SNEAD                 SNEDALXA

  Hopper Telecommunications Company  WALNUT GRV            WLGVALXA

  Interstate Telephone Company       FREDONIA              FRDNALXA

  Interstate Telephone Company       HUGULEY               HGLYALXA

  Interstate Telephone Company       SHAWMUT               SHWMALXA

  Interstate Telephone Company       WEST POINT[^186]      WSPNGAXA1

  Millry Telephone Company, Inc.     CHATAM                CHTMALXA

  Millry Telephone Company, Inc.     GILBERTOWN            GLTWALXA

  Millry Telephone Company, Inc.     MILLRY                MLRYALXA

  Mon-Cre Telephone Cooperative,     RAMER                 RAMRALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Moundville Telephone Company       MOUNDVILLE            MNVLALXA

  National Telephone Company of      BART                  BARTALXA
  Alabama, Inc.                                            

  National Telephone Company of      CHEROKEE              CHRKALXA
  Alabama, Inc.                                            

  National Telephone Company of      MONTGOMERY            MGRMALXA
  Alabama, Inc.                                            

  New Hope Telephone Cooperative,    GRANT                 GRNTALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  New Hope Telephone Cooperative,    NEW HOPE              NWHPALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  New Hope Telephone Cooperative,    OWNSCRSRDS            OCRDALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Oakman Telephone Company           FLATWOOD              FLWDALXA

  Oakman Telephone Company           LYNN                  LYNNALXA

  Oakman Telephone Company           NAUVOO                NAUVALXA

  Oakman Telephone Company           OAKMAN                OKMNALXA

  Otelco Telephone LLC               ONEONTA               ONNTALXA

  Peoples Telephone Company          ARONEY                ARNYALXA

  Peoples Telephone Company          CEDARBLUFF            CDRBALXA

  Peoples Telephone Company          CENTRE                CNTRALXE

  Peoples Telephone Company          COLLINSVL             COVLALXA

  Peoples Telephone Company          CROSSVILLE            CSVLALXA

  Peoples Telephone Company          GAYLESVL              GLVLALXA

  Peoples Telephone Company          GRAYSON               GYSNALXA

  Peoples Telephone Company          LEESBURG              LSBGALXA

  Peoples Telephone Company          RINEHART              RNHRALXA

  Peoples Telephone Company          SAND ROCK             SNRCALXA

  Peoples Telephone Company          WHORTON               WHTNALXA

  Pine Belt Telephone Company, Inc.  ARLINGTON             ARTNALXA

  Pine Belt Telephone Company, Inc.  DIXONS ML             DXMLALXA

  Pine Belt Telephone Company, Inc.  NANAFALIA             NNFLALXA

  Pine Belt Telephone Company, Inc.  SWEETWATER            SWWRALXA

  Ragland Telephone Company, Inc.    RAGLAND               RGLDALXA

  Union Springs Telephone Company,   FORT DAVIS            FTDVALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Union Springs Telephone Company,   MIDWAY                MDWYALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Union Springs Telephone Company,   PEROTE                PROTALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Union Springs Telephone Company,   UNION SPG             UNSPALXA
  Inc.                                                     

  Valley Telephone Company LLC       LANGDALE              LNDLALXA
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

**EXHIBIT 23**

**[Non-Rural Service Area for Inclusion in St. Lawrence Seaway's New
York ETC Service Area]{.underline}**

Verizon New York, Inc. (Study Area Code 155130)

**EXHIBIT 24**

**[Rural Service Areas for Inclusion in St. Lawrence's New York ETC
Service Area]{.underline}**

Citizens Telecommunications of Hammond, Inc. (Study Area Code 150081)

Edwards Telephone Co. (Study Area Code 150092)

Nicholville Telephone Co., Inc. (Study Area Code 150108)

Township Telephone Co., Inc. (Study Area Code 150129)

**EXHIBIT 25**

**[Non-Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in SunCom's ETC Service
Area]{.underline}**

**North Carolina:**

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                  **WIRE CENTER**       **CLLI**
  ----------------------------- --------------------- --------------------
  BELLSOUTH - NC                ACME                  ACMENCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                ALTAN                 ALTNNCXA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                APEX                  APEXNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                ARDEN                 AHVLNCOH

  BELLSOUTH - NC                ARDEN                 ARDNNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                ASHEVILLE             AHVLNCBI

  BELLSOUTH - NC                ASHEVILLE             AHVLNCOT

  BELLSOUTH - NC                ATKINSON              ATSNNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                BELMONT               BLMTNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                BESSEMER CITY         BSCYNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                BLACK MOUNTAIN        BCMTNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                BLOWING ROCK          BLRKNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                BOONE                 BOONNCKI

  BELLSOUTH - NC                BURGAW                BRGWNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                BURLINGTON            BURLNCDA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                BURLINGTON            BURLNCEL

  BELLSOUTH - NC                BURLINGTON            BRVLNCXA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CANTON                CNTNNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CAROLEEN              CRLNNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CAROLINA BEACH        CRBHNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CARY                  CARYNCWS

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CARY                  MRVLNCCN

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CASTLE HAYNE          CSHYNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHAPEL HILL           CPHLNCRO

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHAPEL HILL           RLGHNCMO

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHARLOTTE             CHRLNCBO

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHARLOTTE             CHRLNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHARLOTTE             CHRLNCCR

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHARLOTTE             CHRLNCDE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHARLOTTE             CHRLNCER

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHARLOTTE             CHRLNCLP

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHARLOTTE             CHRLNCMI

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHARLOTTE             CHRLNCOD

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHARLOTTE             CHRLNCRE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHARLOTTE             CHRLNCSH

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHARLOTTE             CHRLNCTH

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHARLOTTE             CHRLNCUN

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHARLOTTE             PIVLNCXB

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHARLOTTE             SLBRNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CHERRYVILLE           CHVLNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CLAREMONT             CLMTNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CLEVELAND             CLEVNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                CLYDE                 CLYDNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                DAVIDSON              CHRLNCCA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                DAVIDSON              DVSNNCPO

  BELLSOUTH - NC                DENVER                DNVRNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                DURHAM                DRHMNCXH

  BELLSOUTH - NC                ELLENBORO             ELBONCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                ENKA-CANDLER          ENKANCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                FAIRMONT              FAMTNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                FAIRVIEW              FRVWNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                FOREST CITY           FRCYNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                GASTONIA              GSTANCDA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                GASTONIA              GSTANCSO

  BELLSOUTH - NC                GIBSONNC              GBSNNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                GOLDSBORO             GLBONCAD

  BELLSOUTH - NC                GOLDSBORO             GLBONCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                GRANTHAM              GNHMNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                GREENSBORO            GNBONCAP

  BELLSOUTH - NC                GREENSBORO            GNBONCAS

  BELLSOUTH - NC                GREENSBORO            GNBONCHO

  BELLSOUTH - NC                GREENSBORO            GNBONCLA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                GREENSBORO            GNBONCMC

  BELLSOUTH - NC                GREENSBORO            GNBONCPG

  BELLSOUTH - NC                HAMLET                HMLTNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                HARTFORD              HRFRTNMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                HENDERSNVILLE         HNVLNCCH

  BELLSOUTH - NC                HENDERSNVILLE         HNVLNCED

  BELLSOUTH - NC                HENDERSNVILLE         HNVLNCMI

  BELLSOUTH - NC                HUNTERSVILLE          HSVLNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                JULIAN                GNBONCEU

  BELLSOUTH - NC                JULIAN                JULNNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                KINGS MT              KGMTNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                KNIGHTDALE            KNDLNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                LAKE LURE             LKLRNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                LATTIMORE             LTMRNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                LAURINBURG            LRBGNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                LAWNDALE              LWDLNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                LEICESTER             LCSRNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                LENOIR                LENRNCHA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                LENOIR                LENRNCHU

  BELLSOUTH - NC                LINCOLNTON            LNTNNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                LINCOLNTONB           LNTNNCVA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                LOCUST                LCSTNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                LONG BEACH            LNBHNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                LOWELL                LWLLNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                LUMBERTON             LMTNNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                MAGGIE VALLEY         MGVANCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                MAIDEN                MADNNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                MONTICELLO            MNTINCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                MORGANTON             MGTNNCGL

  BELLSOUTH - NC                MORGANTON             MGTNNCGR

  BELLSOUTH - NC                MOUNT HOLLY           MTHLNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                MOUNT OLIVE           MTOLNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                NEWLAND               NWLDNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                NEWTON                NWTNNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                PEMBROKE              PMBRNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                RALEIGH               RLGHNCGA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                RALEIGH               RLGHNCGL

  BELLSOUTH - NC                RALEIGH               RLGHNCHO

  BELLSOUTH - NC                RALEIGH               RLGHNCJO

  BELLSOUTH - NC                RALEIGH               RLGHNCSB

  BELLSOUTH - NC                RALEIGH               RLGHNCSI

  BELLSOUTH - NC                REIDSVILLE            RDVLNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                REIDSVILLE            RDVLNCSI

  BELLSOUTH - NC                ROCKINGHAM            RCHMNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                ROWLANDNC             RWLDNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                RUFFIN                RFFNNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                RUTHERFORDTON         RTTNNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                SAXAPAHAW             SXPHNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                SCOTTS HILL1          SCHLNCHA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                SCOTTS HILL2          SCHLNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                SELMA                 SELMNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                SHELBY                SHLBNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                SOUTHPORT             SOPTNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                SPRUCE PINE           SPPNNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                STANLEY               STNLNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                STATESVILLE           SSVLNCJE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                STATESVILLE           SSVLNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                STONY POINT           STPNNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                SUMMERFIELD           SRFDNCCE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                SWANNANOA             SWNNNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                TAYLORSVILLE          TYVLNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                TROUTMAN              TRMNNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                WAYNESVILLE           WYVLNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                WENDELL               WNDLNCPI

  BELLSOUTH - NC                WILMINGTON            WLMGNCFO

  BELLSOUTH - NC                WILMINGTON            WLMGNCLE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                WILMINGTON            WLMGNCWI

  BELLSOUTH - NC                WINSTON SALEM         WNSLNCAR

  BELLSOUTH - NC                WINSTON SALEM         WNSLNCCL

  BELLSOUTH - NC                WINSTON SALEM         WNSLNCFI

  BELLSOUTH - NC                WINSTON SALEM         WNSLNCGL

  BELLSOUTH - NC                WINSTON SALEM         WNSLNCLE

  BELLSOUTH - NC                WINSTON SALEM         WNSLNCVI

  BELLSOUTH - NC                WINSTON SALEM         WNSLNCWA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                WINSTON SALEM         WNSLNCWH

  BELLSOUTH - NC                WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH    WGVLNCMA

  BELLSOUTH - NC                ZEBULON               ZBLNNCCE

  North State Telephone Company HIGH POINT            HGPNNCXA

  North State Telephone Company HIGH POINT            HGPNNCXB

  North State Telephone Company HIGH POINT            HGPNNCXC

  North State Telephone Company HIGH POINT            HGPNNCXD

  North State Telephone Company HIGH POINT            HGPNNCXE

  North State Telephone Company HIGH POINT            HGPNNCXF

  North State Telephone Company RANDLEMAN             RNMNNCXA

  North State Telephone Company THOMASVILLE           THVLNCXA

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        ANDREWS               ANDRNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        BAKERSVILLE           BAVLNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        BRYSON CITY           BRCYNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        BURNSVILLE            BRVLNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        CASHIERS              CSHRNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        CHEROKEE              CHRKNCXB
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        FONTANA               FNVLNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        FRANKLIN              FKLNNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        GARDEN CITY           GRCYNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        GLENWOOD-PROVIDENCE   GWPRNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        GUNTERTOWN            GTTWNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        HAYESVILLE            HYVLNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        HIGHLANDS             HGLNNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        HIGHLANDS             SYLVNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        HOT SPRINGS           HTSPNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        MARION                MARNNCXB
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        MARS HILL             MRHLNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        MARS HILL             WVVLNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        MARSHALL              MRSHNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        MICAVILLE             MIVLNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        MURPHY                MRPHNCXB
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        OLD FORT              OLFTNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        ROBBINSVILLE          ROVLNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        SEVIER                SEVRNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC - NC        SUIT                  SUITNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC -- NC       CULLOWHEE             CLWHNCXA
  (CONTEL)                                            

  VERIZON SOUTH INC. - NC       DURHAM                DRHMNCXB

  VERIZON SOUTH INC. - NC       DURHAM                DRHMNCXT

  VERIZON SOUTH INC. - NC       MONROE                MONRNCXA

  VERIZON SOUTH INC. -- NC      CREEDMOOR             CRDMNCXA

  VERIZON SOUTH INC. -- NC      CREEDMOOR             CRDMNCXM

  VERIZON SOUTH INC. -- NC      DURHAM                DRHMNCXA

  VERIZON SOUTH INC. -- NC      DURHAM                DRHMNCXC

  VERIZON SOUTH INC. -- NC      DURHAM                DRHMNCXD

  VERIZON SOUTH INC. -- NC      DURHAM                DRHMNCXE

  VERIZON SOUTH INC. -- NC      DURHAM                DRHMNCXG

  VERIZON SOUTH INC. -- NC      DURHAM                DRHMNCXM

  VERIZON SOUTH INC. -- NC      GOOSECREEK            GSCKNCXA
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Tennessee:**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                  **WIRE CENTER**      **CLLI**
  ----------------------------- -------------------- --------------------
  BELLSOUTH - TN                ROGERSVILLE          RRVLTNMA

  BELLSOUTH - TN                SURGOINSVILLE        SRVLTNMA
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

**Virginia:**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                  **WIRE CENTER**      **CLLI**
  ----------------------------- -------------------- --------------------
  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        APPALACHIA           APLCVAAP

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        BIG STONE GAP        BSGPVABG

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        CLINCHCO             CLNCVACL

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        CLINTWOOD            CLWDVACW

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        COEBURN              COBNVACB

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        COEBURN              NRTNVANO

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        CUMBERLAND GAP       RSHLVALE

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        DANTE                DANTVADA

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        HAYSI                HYSIVAHY

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        HONAKER              HNKRVAHK

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        HONAKER              SWCKVASC

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        JONESVILLE           JNVLVAJV

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        LEBANON              DCVLVADV

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        LEBANON              LBNNVALB

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        LEBANON              LBNNVARD

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        PENNINGTON GAP       PNGPVAPG

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        POUND                PONDVAPO

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        ST CHARLES           STCHVASC

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        ST PAUL              STPLVASP

  VERIZON-VIRGINIA, INC.        WISE                 WISEVAWI
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

**EXHIBIT 26**

**[Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in SunCom's ETC Service
Area]{.underline}**

**North Carolina:**

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                           **WIRE CENTER**   **CLLI**
  -------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------
  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           ABERDEEN          ABRDNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           ANSONVILLE        ASVLNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           BROADWAY          BRWYNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           COLUMBUS          CLMBNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           DENTON            DNTNNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           GREENCREEK        GRCKNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           HEMBY BRIDGE      HMBRNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           INDIAN TRAIL      INTRNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           KINGNC            KINGNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           LAUREL HILL       LRHLNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           LEWISVILLE        LWVLNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           LILESVILLE        LLVLNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           MARSHVILLE        MHVLNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           MATTHEWS          MTHWNCXB

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           MORVEN            MRVNNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           NEW SALEM         NWSLNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           NORWOOD           NRWDNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           OLDTOWN           OLTWNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           OLIVIA            OLIVNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           PEACHLAND POLKTON PCLDNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           PINEBLUFF         PNBLNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           RURAL HALL        RRHLNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           SANFORD           SNFRNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           STANLEYVILLE      SLVLNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           TRYON             TRYNNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           WADESBORO         MRVINCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           WAGRAM            WGRMNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           WAXHAW            WXHWNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. - NORTH           WINGATE           WNGTNCXA

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. -- NORTH          GRANITE           GRQYNCXA
                                         QUARRY-ROCKWELL   

  ALLTEL CAROLINA INC. -- NORTH          WADESBORO         WDBONCXA

  ATLANTIC TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.         BLNGSPGLKS        BSLKNCXA

  ATLANTIC TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.         BOLIVIA           BOLVNCXA

  ATLANTIC TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.         HOLDEN BEACH      HLBHNCXB

  ATLANTIC TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.         LONGWOOD          LGWDNCXA

  ATLANTIC TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.         SEASIDE           SESDNCXB

  ATLANTIC TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.         SHALLOTTE         SHLTNCXA

  BARNARDSVILLE TEL. CO. D/B/A TDS       BARNARDSVL        BDVLNCXA
  TELECOM                                                  

  CAROLINA TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH CO.     NEW BERN          NWBRNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         ASHEBORO          ASBONCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         BETHLEHEM         BHLHNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         BISCOE            BISCNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         BOONVILLE         BNVLNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         CANDOR            CNDRNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         CATAWBA           CTWBNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         DANBURY           DNBRNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         DOBSON            DBSNNCXB

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         EDENNC            EDENNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         ELKIN             ELKNNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         GRANITE FALLS     GRFLNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         HAYS              HAYSNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         HICKORY           HCKRNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         HILDEBRAN         HLDBNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         HILLSBOROUGH      HLBONCXB

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         MADISON           MDSNNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         MOUNT AIRY        MTARNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         MOUNT GILEAD      MTGLNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         MOUNTAIN VIEW     MTVWNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         MULBERRY          MLBYNCXB

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         NORTH WILKESBORO  NWBONCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         PILOT MOUNTAIN    PLMTNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         QUAKER GAP        QKGPNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         RAMSEUR           RMSRNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         ROARING GAP       RNRPNXCA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         SANDY RIDGE       SNRGNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         SEAGROVE          SEGVNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         SHERRILLS FORD    SHFRNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         STATE ROAD        STRDNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         STONEVILLE        STVLNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         TIMBERLAKE        TMLKNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         TROY              TROYNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         VALDESE           VLDSNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         WALKERTOWN        WKTWNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         WALNUT COVE       WLCVNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         WEST END          WENDNCXB

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         WEST JEFFERSON    WJSNNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY - NC         YADKINVILLE       CRTYNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY -- NC        ASHEBORO          ASBONCXB

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY -- NC        EDENNC            EDENNCXB

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY -- NC        HICKORY           HCKRNCXB

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY -- NC        YADKINVILLE       YDVLNCXA

  CENTRAL TELEPHONE COMPANY NC           MOCKSVILLE        MKVLNCXA

  CITIZENS TEL. CO.                      BREVARD           BRVRNCXA

  ELLERBE TELEPHONE COMPANY              ELLERBE           ELRBNCXA

  LEXCOM TELEPHONE CO.                   LEXINGTON         LXTNNCXA

  LEXCOM TELEPHONE CO.                   LEXINGTON         LXTNNCXB

  LEXCOM TELEPHONE CO.                   LEXINGTON         LXTNNCXC

  LEXCOM TELEPHONE CO.                   LEXINGTON         LXTNNCXD

  LEXCOM TELEPHONE CO.                   LEXINGTON         LXTNNCXE

  LEXCOM TELEPHONE CO.                   SOUTHMONT         SMNTNCXA

  LEXCOM TELEPHONE CO.                   WELCOME           WLCMNCXA

  MEBTEL, INC.                           MEBANE            MEBNNCXA

  PIEDMONT TELEPHONE MEMBERSHIP CORP.    CHURCHLAND        CHLDNCXA

  PIEDMONT TELEPHONE MEMBERSHIP CORP.    REEDS             REDSNCXA

  RANDOLPH TEL. CO.                      LIBERTY           LBRTNCXA

  RANDOLPH TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.         BADIN LAKE        BDLKNCXA

  RANDOLPH TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.         BENNETT           BNNTNCXA

  RANDOLPH TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.         COLERIDGE         CLRGNCXA

  RANDOLPH TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.         FARMER            FRMRNCXA

  RANDOLPH TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.         HIGHFALLS         HGHFNCXA

  RANDOLPH TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.         JACKSON CREEK     JKCKNCXA

  RANDOLPH TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.         PISGAH            PSGHNCXA

  SALUDA MOUNTAIN TEL. CO. D/B/A TDS     SALUDA            SALDNCXA
  TELECOM                                                  

  SERVICE TEL. CO. D/B/A TDS TELECOM     FAIR BLUFF        FRBLNCXA

  SKYLINE TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.          BALDWIN           BLDWNCXA

  SKYLINE TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.          BANNER ELK        BNELNCXA

  SKYLINE TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.          BEECH MOUNTAIN    BEMTNCXA

  SKYLINE TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.          CRESTON           CETNNCXA

  SKYLINE TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.          GLADECREEK        GLCKNCXA

  SKYLINE TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.          LANSING           LNNGNCXA

  SKYLINE TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.          NATHANSCRK        NTCKNCXA

  SKYLINE TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.          SCOTTVILLE        SCVLNCXA

  SKYLINE TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.          SPARTA            SPRTNCXA

  SKYLINE TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.          SUGAR GROVE       SGGVNCXA

  SKYLINE TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.          WATAUGA           WATGNCXA

  STAR TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.             ABBOTTSBG         ABBGNCXA

  STAR TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.             COHARIE           COHRNCXA

  STAR TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.             CYPRESSCRK        CYCKNCXA

  STAR TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.             HARRELLS          HRLSNCXA

  STAR TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.             HERRING           HRNGNCXA

  STAR TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.             KELLY             KLLYNCXA

  STAR TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.             LISBON            LSBNNCXA

  STAR TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.             SIX RUN           SXRNNXCA

  STAR TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.             SOUTHRIVER        SORVNCXA

  STAR TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.             WHITE OAK         WHOKNCXA

  SURRY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.            BEULAH            BELHNCXA

  SURRY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.            LEVELCROSS        LVCRNCXA

  SURRY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.            RED BRUSH         RDBSNCXA

  SURRY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.            SHOALS            SHLSNCXA

  SURRY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.            WESTFIELD         WSFDNCXA

  SURRY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.            ZEPHYR            ZPHYNCXA

  THE CONCORD TELEPHONE COMPANY, INC.    ALBEMARLE         ALBMNCXA

  THE CONCORD TELEPHONE COMPANY, INC.    BADIN             BADNNCXA

  THE CONCORD TELEPHONE COMPANY, INC.    CHINA             CHGVNCXA
                                         GROVE-LANDIS      

  THE CONCORD TELEPHONE COMPANY, INC.    CONCORD           CNCRNCXA

  THE CONCORD TELEPHONE COMPANY, INC.    HARRISBURG        HRBGNCXA

  THE CONCORD TELEPHONE COMPANY, INC.    KANNAPOLIS        KNPLNCXA

  THE CONCORD TELEPHONE COMPANY, INC.    NEW LONDON        NWLNNCXA

  THE CONCORD TELEPHONE COMPANY, INC.    OAKBORO           OKBONCXA

  TRI-COUNTY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.       PIKE ROAD         PKRDNCXA

  TRI-COUNTY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.       PINETOWN          PNTWNCXA

  TRI-COUNTY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.       SIDNEY            SDNYNCXA

  WILKES TELEPHONE MEMBERSHIP            BOOMER            BOMRNXCA
  CORPORATION                                              

  WILKES TELEPHONE MEMBERSHIP            CHAMPION          CHMPNCXA
  CORPORATION                                              

  WILKES TELEPHONE MEMBERSHIP            CLINGMAN          CLNGNCXA
  CORPORATION                                              

  WILKES TELEPHONE MEMBERSHIP            LOMAX             LOMXNCXA
  CORPORATION                                              

  YADKIN VALLEY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.    ADVANCE           ADVNNCXB

  YADKIN VALLEY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.    BROOKS            BRKSNCXA

  YADKIN VALLEY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.    COOLEEMEE         COLMNCXA

  YADKIN VALLEY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.    EAST BEND         EBNDNCXA

  YADKIN VALLEY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.    FORBUSH           FRBSNCXB

  YADKIN VALLEY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.    HARMONY           HRMYNCXA

  YADKIN VALLEY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.    IJAMES            IJAMNCXA

  YADKIN VALLEY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.    NEW HOPE          NWHPNCXA

  YADKIN VALLEY TEL. MEMBERSHIP CORP.    UNIONGROVE        UNGVNCXB
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Tennessee:**

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                           **WIRE CENTER**     **CLLI**
  -------------------------------------- ------------------- ---------------
  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   BAILEYTON           BLTNTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   BLOUNTVILLE         BUVLTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   BLUFF CITY-PINEY    BLCYTNXA
                                         FLATS               

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   BRISTOL, TN         BRSTTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   BRISTOL, TN         BRSTTNXB

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   BUTLER              BTLRTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   CHURCHHILL-MT       CHHLTNXA
                                         CARMEL              

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   ELIZABETHTON        ELTNTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   ERWIN               ERWNTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   FALL BRANCH         FLBRTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   GREENEVILLE         GRVLTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   HAMPTON             HMPNTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   JONESBORO-SULPHUR   JNBOTNXA
                                         SPR                 

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   KINGSPORT           KGPTTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   KINGSPORT           KGPTTNXC

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   LIMESTONE           LMSTTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   MIDWAY (WASHINGTON  MDWYTNXA
                                         CO)                 

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   MOSHEIM             MOSHTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   MOUNTAIN CITY       MTCYTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   ROAN MOUNTAIN       RNMTTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   STONEY CREEK        STCKTNXA

  UNITED TELEPHONE INTER-MOUNTAIN - TN   SULLIVAN GARDENS    SLGRTNXA
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Virginia:**

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                           **WIRE CENTER**   **CLLI**
  -------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------
  SCOTT COUNTY TEL. COOP.                DUFFIELD          DFFDVAXA

  SCOTT COUNTY TEL. COOP.                DUNGANNON         DNGNVAXA

  SCOTT COUNTY TEL. COOP.                FT BLACKMR        FTBCVAXA

  SCOTT COUNTY TEL. COOP.                NICKELSVL         NCVLVAXA

  SCOTT COUNTY TEL. COOP.                WILLIAMSML        WLMLVAXA
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

**EXHIBIT 27**

**[Non-Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in U.S. Cellular's ETC Service
Area]{.underline}**

**New Hampshire:**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                        **WIRE CENTER**     **CLLI**
  ----------------------------------- ------------------- ---------------
  Verizon New England Inc.            ALSTEAD             ALSTNHLIRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            ASHLAND             ASLDNHHIRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            ATKINSON            ATSNNHMARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            BEDFORD             BDFRNHAMRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            BETHLEHEM           BHLHNHCRRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            BELMONT             BLMTNHMARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            BARRINGTON          BNTONHPRRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            BERLIN              BRLNNHHERS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            BRISTOL             BRSTNHSPRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            BARTLETT            BRTLNHGERS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            CANDIA              CANDNHDERS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            CANAAN              CANNNHYARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            CHARLESTOWN         CHTWNHBRRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            COLEBROOK           CLBKNHMARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            CLAREMONT           CLMTNHBRRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            CAMPTON             CMTNNHOWRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            CONCORD             CNCRNHSODS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            CENTER HARBOR       CNHRNHPLRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            CENTER OSSIPEE      CNOSNHFORS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            CTR SANDWICH        CNSWNHSLRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            CANTERBURY          CNTRNHSHRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            N CONWAY            CNWYNHYARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            DUBLIN              DBLNNHMORS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            DANBURY             DNBRNHDBRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            DEERFIELD           DRFDNHCCRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            DERRY               DRRYNHEBDS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            ENFIELD             ENFDNHNMRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            EPPING              EPNGNHMARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            EPSOM               EPSMNHBHRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            ERROL               ERRLNHYARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            FRANKLIN            FKLNNHFRRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            FRANCONIA           FRNCNHWHRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            FARMINGTON          FRTNNHMGRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            FITZWILLIAM         FTZWNHUTRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            GOFFSTOWN           GFTWNHWHRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            GLENDALE            GLDLNHABRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            GREENFIELD          GNFDNHMARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            GREENVILLE          GNVLNHADRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            GORHAM              GRHMNHLARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            GROVETON            GVTNNHSTRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            HAMPSTEAD           HMPSNHMARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            HANCOCK             HNCCNHSCRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            HINSDALE            HNDLNHMARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            HANOVER             HNVRNHSCDS0

  Verizon New England Inc.            HARRISVILLE         HRVLNHMARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            JACKSON             JCSNNHTHRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            JAFFREY             JFRYNHRIRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            JEFFERSON           JFSNNHYARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            KEENE               KEENNHWADS0

  Verizon New England Inc.            LACONIA             LACNNHNMDS0

  Verizon New England Inc.            LEBANON             LBNNNHBARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            LANCASTER           LNCSNHHIRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            LISBON              LSBNNHMARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            LITTLETON           LTTNNHPLDS0

  Verizon New England Inc.            LYME                LYMENHYARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            MADISON             MDSNNHYARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            MILAN               MILNNHPLRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            MOULTONBORO         MLBONHYARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            MILFORD             MLFRNHSODS0

  Verizon New England Inc.            MILTON              MLTNNHSIRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            MANCHESTER          MNCHNHCODS2

  Verizon New England Inc.            MARLBORO            MRBONHYARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            MEREDITH            MRDTNHWARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            MARLOW              MRLWNHYARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            MERRIMACK           MRMCNHYADS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            MILTON MILLS        MTMLNHWERS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            NASHUA              NASHNHGRRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            NASHUA              NASHNHWPDS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            NEW BOSTON          NBTNNHHPRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            NORTH CONWAY        NCWYNHKERS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            NORTH STRATFORD     NSFRNHMARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            N WOODSTOCK         NWDSNHMARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            NORTHWOOD           NWODNHYARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            NEWPORT             NWPTNHMADS0

  Verizon New England Inc.            PIKE                PIKENHPIRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            PELHAM              PLHMNHBRDS0

  Verizon New England Inc.            PLYMOUTH            PLMONHLHRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            PLAISTOW            PLSTNHMADS0

  Verizon New England Inc.            CONCORD             PNCKNHCHRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            PITTSFIELD          PTFDNHBRRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            PETERBOROUGH        PTRBNHCORS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            RUMNEY              RMNYNHSLRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            RINDGE              RNDGNHCERS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            ROCHESTER           ROCHNHWEDS0

  Verizon New England Inc.            RAYMOND             RYMNNHFLDS0

  Verizon New England Inc.            SALEM               SALMNHNBDS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            SANBORNVILLE        SBVLNHCSRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            SULLIVAN            SLLVNHYARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            SUNCOOK             SNCKNHPARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            SPOFFORD            SPFRNHMSRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            SUNAPEE             SUNPNHMCRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            TILTON              TLTNNHPRRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            TAMWORTH            TMWONHWHRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            TROY                TROYNHPRRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            TWIN MOUNTAIN       TWMTNHYARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            WOODSVILLE          WDVLNHJLRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            WEIRS               WERSNHSTRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            WHITEFIELD          WHFDNHPLRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            WOLFEBORO           WLBONHGSRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            WALPOLE             WLPLNHWPRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            WESTMORELAND        WMLDNHWERS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            WINCHESTER          WNCHNHMIRS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            WARREN              WRRNNHMARS1

  Verizon New England Inc.            WATERVILLE VALLEY   WVVYNHMRRS1
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

**North Carolina:**

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                         **WIRE                           **CLLI**   
                                       CENTER**                                    
  ------------------------------------ ------------- ------------------ ---------- ---------------
  Central Telephone Co. - Virginia     Virgilina                        VRGLVAXA   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC             Durham                           DRHMNCXB   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC             Durham                           DRHMNCXE   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC             Durham                           DRHMNCXM   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC             Durham                           DRHMNCXC   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC             Durham                           DRHMNCXT   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC             Durham                           DRHMNCXD   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC             Butner                           CRDMNCXA   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC             Creedmoor                        CRDMNCXM   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC (Contel)    Hot Springs                      HTSPNCXA   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC (Contel)    Guntertown                       GTTWNCXA   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC (Contel)    Marshall                         MRSHNCXA   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC (Contel)    Mars Hill                        MRHLNCXA   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC (Contel)    Weaverville                      WVVLNCXA   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC (Contel)    Burnsville                       BRVLNCXA   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC (Contel)    Burnsville                       MIVLNCXA   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC (Contel)    Bakersville                      BAVLNCXA   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC (Contel)    Old Fort                         OLFTNCXA   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC (Contel)    Marion                           GWPRNCXA   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC (Contel)    Marion                           GRCYNCXA   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC (Contel)    Sevier                           SEVRNCXA   

  Verizon South, Inc. - NC (Contel)    Marion                           MARNNCXA   

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Clyde                         CLYDNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Canton                        CNTNNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Candler                       ENKANCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Horseshoe                     HNVLNCMI
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Hendersonville                HNVLNCCH
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Leichester                    LCSRNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Asheville                     AHVLNCOH
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Asheville                     AHVLNCOT
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Asheville                     AHVLNCBI
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Hendersonville                HNVLNCED
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Fairview                      FRVWNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Arden                         ARDNNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Swannanoa                     SWNNNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Black Mount                   BCMTNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Lake Lure                     LKLRNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Spruce Pine                   SPPNNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Rutherfordton                 RTTNNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Newland                       NWLDNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Morganton                     MGTNNCGL
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Morganton                     MGTNNCGR
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Boone                         BOONNCYI
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Lenoir                        LENRNCHA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    First City                    FRCYNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Ellenboro                     ELBONCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Caroleen                      CRLNNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Lattimore                     LTMRNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Shelby                        SHLBNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Lawndale                      LWDLNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Grover                        GRVRNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Cherryville                   CHVLNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Vale                          LNNNNCVA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Newton                        NWTNNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Taylorsville                  TYVLNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Hamlet                        HMLTNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Laurenburg                    LRBGNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Rowland                       RWLDNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Pembroke                      PMBRNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Fairmont                      FAMTNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Lumberton                     LMTNNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Acme                          ACMENCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Atkinson                      ATSNNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Wilmington                    WLMGNCLE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    South Point                   SOPTNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Long Beach                    LNBHNCMS
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Carolina Beach                CRBHNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Wilmington                    WGVLNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Wilmington                    WLMGNCFO
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Wilmington                    WLMGNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Castle Hane                   CSHYNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Burgaw                        BRGWNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Hampsted                      SCHLNCHA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Goldsboro                     GNHMNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Mount Olive                   MTOLNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Goldsboro                     GLBONCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Goldsboro                     GLBONCAD
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Selma                         SELMNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Garner                        RLGHNCGA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Apex                          APEXNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Raleigh                       RLGHNC
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Raleigh                       RLGHNCAB
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Knight Dale                   KNDLNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Wendell                       WNDLNCPI
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Zebulon                       ZBLNNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Cary                          CARYNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Chapel Hill                   CPHLNCRO
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Graham                        SXPHNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Raleigh                       RLGHNCSI
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Burlington                    BURLNCDA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Burlington                    BURLNCHA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Gibsonville                   GBVLNCXA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Elon College                  BURLNCEL
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Greensboro                    GNBONCLA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Greensboro                    GNBONCMC
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Monticello                    MNTINCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Summerfield                   SRFDNCCE
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Reidsville                    RDVLNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Reidsville                    RDVLNCSI
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Ruffin                        RFFNNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Anderson                      ARSNNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Gatewood                      GTWDNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                

  Bell South Telecomm, Inc. d/b/a                    Milton                        MLTNNCMA
  Southern Bell Tel                                                                
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Tennessee:**

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                          **WIRE CENTER**     **CLLI**
  ------------------------------------- ------------------- --------------
  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    ATHENS              ATHNTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    BULLS GAP           BLGPTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    BENTON              BNTNTNMT
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    CHARLESTON          CHTNTNMT
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    CLINTON             CLTNTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    COPPERBSIN          CRHLTNCB
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    CUMBERLDGP          CLDGTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    DANDRIDGE           DNRGTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    DAYTON              DYTNTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    DECATUR             DCTRTNMT
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    ETOWAH              ETWHTNMT
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    FRIENDSVL           FIVLTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    GATLINBURG          GTBGTNMT
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    GEORGETOWN          CLEVTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    GREENBACK           GRNBTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    HARRIMAN            HIMNTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    HARTFORD            HRFRTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    HARTSVILLE          HTVLTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    JEFFERSNCY          JFCYTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    JELLICO             JLLCTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    KINGSTON            KGTNTNMT
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    KNOXVILLE           KNVLTNBE
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    KNOXVILLE           KNVLTNFC
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    KNOXVILLE           KNVLTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    KNOXVILLE           KNVLTNWH
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    KNOXVILLE           KNVLTNYH
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    LAFOLLETTE          LFLTTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    LAKE CITY           LKCYTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    LENOIRCITY          LNCYTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    LOUDON              LODNTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    MARYVILLE           MAVLTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    MADISONVL           MDVITNMT
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    MORRISTOWN          MRTWTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    MASCOT              MSCTTNMT
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    MAYNARDVL           MYVLTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    NORRIS              NRRSTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    NEWPORT             NWPTTNMT
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    OAK RIDGE           OKRGTNMT
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    OLIVER SPG          OLSPTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    ROCKWOOD            RKWDTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    ROGERSVL            RRVLTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    SNEEDVILLE          SNVLTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    SPRINGCITY          SPCYTNMT
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    SEVIERVL            SVVLTNMT
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    SWEETWATER          SWTSTNMT
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    TOWNSEND            TWNSTNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          

  BellSouth Telecomm Inc d/b/a South    WHITE PINE          WHPITNMA
  Central Bell Tel                                          
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Virginia:**

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                         **WIRE CENTER**     **CLLI**
  ------------------------------------ ------------------- ---------------
  Verizon South Inc. -- VA (Contel)    ALLWOOD             ALWDVAXA

  Verizon South Inc. -- VA (Contel)    AMHERST             AMHRVAXA

  Verizon South Inc. -- VA (Contel)    APPOMATTOX          APMTVAXA

  Verizon South Inc. -- VA (Contel)    BARNESVL            BRVIVAXA

  Verizon South Inc. -- VA (Contel)    CLARKSVL            CLVLVAXA

  Verizon South Inc. -- VA (Contel)    CHASE CITY          CSCYVAXA

  Verizon South Inc. -- VA (Contel)    DRAKESBRCH          DRBRVAXA

  Verizon South Inc. -- VA (Contel)    ELKTON              EKTNVAXA

  Verizon South Inc. -- VA (Contel)    GLADSTONE           GLDSVAXA

  Verizon South Inc. -- VA (Contel)    GROTTOES            GRTSVAXA

  Verizon South Inc. -- VA (Contel)    KEYSVILLE           KYVLVAXA

  Verizon South Inc. -- VA (Contel)    RAPHINE             RPHNVAXA

  Verizon Virginia, Inc.               BUCHANAN            BCHNVABH

  Verizon Virginia                     BEDFORD             BDFRVABD

  Verizon Virginia                     BIG ISLAND          BGISVABI

  Verizon Virginia                     BLACKSBURG          BLBGVABB

  Verizon Virginia                     CRIGLERSVL          CGVLVACL

  Verizon Virginia                     CHATHAM             CHHMVACH

  Verizon Virginia                     MADISON             CLPPVARV

  Verizon Virginia                     CLOVER              CLVRVACL

  Verizon Virginia                     CUMBERLAND          CMLDVACU

  Verizon Virginia                     CHRISTISBG          CRBGVACB

  Verizon Virginia                     CRAIGSVL            CRVIVACV

  Verizon Virginia                     CARTERSVL           CRVLVACV

  Verizon Virginia                     DANVILLE            DAVLVADA

  Verizon Virginia                     DANVILLE            DAVLVAFP

  Verizon Virginia                     RINGGOLD            DAVLVAWE

  Verizon Virginia                     DUBLIN              DBLNVADU

  Verizon Virginia                     FIFE                FIFEVAFI

  Verizon Virginia                     GREENWOOD           GNWDVAGW

  Verizon Virginia                     GORDONSVL           GOVLVAGV

  Verizon Virginia                     HONAKER             HNKRVAHK

  Verizon Virginia                     W LEBANON           LBNNVALB

  Verizon Virginia                     LEBANON             LBNNVARD

  Verizon Virginia                     LOUISA              LOUSVALU

  Verizon Virginia                     LOVINGSTON          LVTNVALN

  Verizon Virginia                     LYNCHBURG           LYBGVACH

  Verizon Virginia                     LYNCHBURG           LYBGVACV

  Verizon Virginia                     LYNCHBURG           LYBGVAMH

  Verizon Virginia                     LYNCHBURG           LYBGVANL

  Verizon Virginia                     LYNCHBURG           LYBGVAOF

  Verizon Virginia                     LYNCHBURG           LYBGVATM

  Verizon Virginia                     LYNCHBURG           LYBGVAYB

  Verizon Virginia                     MADISON             MDSNVAMA

  Verizon Virginia                     NELLYSFORD          NLFRVANF

  Verizon Virginia                     NARROWS             NRWSVANA

  Verizon Virginia                     ORANGE              ORNGVAOR

  Verizon Virginia                     PULASKI             PLSKVAPU

  Verizon Virginia                     PINEYRIVER          PNRVVAPR

  Verizon Virginia                     PEARISBURG          PRBGVAPB

  Verizon Virginia                     POWHATAN            PWHTVAPW

  Verizon Virginia                     RADFORD             RDFRVARA

  Verizon Virginia                     ROANOKE             RONKVABK

  Verizon Virginia                     ROANOKE             RONKVABS

  Verizon Virginia                     ROANOKE             RONKVACS

  Verizon Virginia                     ROANOKE             RONKVACV

  Verizon Virginia                     ROANOKE             RONKVAGC

  Verizon Virginia                     ROANOKE             RONKVALK

  Verizon Virginia                     SALEM               SALMVAFL

  Verizon Virginia                     SALEM               SALMVAMC

  Verizon Virginia                     SALEM               SALMVASA

  Verizon Virginia                     SHAWSVILLE          SHVLVASW

  Verizon Virginia                     STONE MT            SNMTVASM

  Verizon Virginia                     STAUNTON            STTNVAST

  Verizon Virginia                     SWORDS CRK          SWCKVASC

  Verizon Virginia                     ROANOKE             SWVLVASV

  Verizon Virginia                     LOVINGSTON          WNTRVAWG
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

**EXHIBIT 28**

**[Rural Wire Centers for Inclusion in U.S. Cellular's ETC Service
Area]{.underline}**

**New Hampshire:**

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                            **WIRE CENTER**  **CLLI**         
  --------------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------- --
  Bretton Woods Telephone Co.             BRETTON WOODS    BTWDNHXADS0      

  Dunbarton Telephone Co.                 DUNBARTON        DNTNNHXADS0      

  Hollis Telephone Company Inc.           HOLLIS           HLLSNHXADS0      

  Kearsage Telephone Co.                  ANDOVER          ANDVNHXARS1      

  Kearsage Telephone Co.                  CONCORD          BSCWNHXARS1      

  Kearsage Telephone Co.                  CHICHESTER       CHCHNHXADS1      

  Kearsage Telephone Co.                  MERIDEN          MRDNNHXADS1      

  Kearsage Telephone Co.                  NEW LONDON       NWLNNHXADS0      

  Kearsage Telephone Co.                  SALISBURY        SLBRNHXARS1      

  Merrimack County Telephone Co. d/b/a    ANTRIM           ANTRNHXARS3      
  Contoocook Valley                                                         

  Merrimack County Telephone Co. d/b/a    HILLSBORO        HLBONHXADS0      
  Contoocook Valley                                                         

  Merrimack County Telephone Co. d/b/a    HENNIKER         HNKRNHXARS2      
  Contoocook Valley                                                         

  Merrimack County Telephone Co. d/b/a    MOULTONBOROUGH   MLVGNHXADS0      
  Contoocook Valley                                                         

  Merrimack County Telephone Co.          BRADFORD         BRFRNHXARS2      

  Merrimack County Telephone Co.          CONTOOCOOK       CNTCNHXADS1      

  Merrimack County Telephone Co.          NEWBURY          STTNNHXARS2      

  Merrimack County Telephone Co.          WARNER           WRNRNHXARS2      

  Union Telephone Co. -- New Hampshire    ALTON            ALTNNHXADS0      

  Union Telephone Co. -- New Hampshire    BARNSTEAD        BRNSNHXADS0      

  Union Telephone Co. -- New Hampshire    CENTER BARNSTEAD CNBNNHXADS0      

  Union Telephone Co. -- New Hampshire    CTR SANDWICH     GLTNNHXADS0      

  Union Telephone Co. -- New Hampshire    NEW DURHAM       NWDRNHXADS0      

  Wilton Telephone Co.                    WILTON           WLTONHXADS0      
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

**North Carolina:**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                          **WIRE CENTER**  **CLLI**
  ------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
  Tri -County Telephone Membership      Pine Town        PNTWNCXA
  Corporation                                            

  Tri -County Telephone Membership      Pantego          PKRDNCXA
  Corporation                                            

  Tri -County Telephone Membership      Bath             SDNYNCXA
  Corporation                                            

  Atlantic Telephone Membership         Longwood         LGWDNCXA
  Corporation                                            

  Atlantic Telephone Membership         Ocean Island     SESDNCXA
  Corporation                           Beach            

  Atlantic Telephone Membership         Shallotte        SHLTNCXA
  Corporation                                            

  Atlantic Telephone Membership         Bolivia          BOLVNCXA
  Corporation                                            

  Atlantic Telephone Membership         Supply           HLBHNCXA
  Corporation                                            

  Atlantic Telephone Membership         Boiling Spring   BSLKMOXA
  Corporation                           Lake             

  Barnardsville Telephone Company       Barnardsville    BDVLNCXA

  Saluda Mountain Telephone Company     Saluda           SALDNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corporation Bladenboro       ABBGNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corporation Lisbon           LSBNNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corporation Kelly            KLLYNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corporation Harrells         HRLSNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corporation Cypress Creek    CYCKNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corporation White Oak        WHOKNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corporation Herring          HRNGNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corporation Turkey           SXRNNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corporation Dunn             COHRNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corporation Roseboro         SORVNCXA

  Star Telephone Membership Corporation South River      SORYNCXA

  Service Telephone Company             Fair Bluff       FRBLNCXA

  Surry Telephone Membership            Beulah           BELHNCXA
  Corporation                                            

  Surry Telephone Membership            Dobson           DBSNNCXA
  Corporation                                            

  Surry Telephone Membership            Level Cross      LVCRNCXA
  Corporation                                            

  Surry Telephone Membership            Red Brush        RDBSNCXA
  Corporation                                            

  Surry Telephone Membership            Shoals           SHLSNCXA
  Corporation                                            

  Surry Telephone Membership            Westfield        WSFDNCXA
  Corporation                                            

  Surry Telephone Membership            Zephyr           ZPHYNCXA
  Corporation                                            

  Wilkes Telephone Membership Corp.     Boomer           BOMRNCXA

  Wilkes Telephone Membership Corp.     Ferguson         CHMPNCXA

  Wilkes Telephone Membership Corp.     Clingman         CLNGNCXA

  Wilkes Telephone Membership Corp.     No. Wilkesboro   HAYSNCXA

  Wilkes Telephone Membership Corp.     Lomax            LOMXNCXA

  Wilkes Telephone Membership Corp.     No. Wilkesboro   MLBYNCXA

  Wilkes Telephone Membership Corp.     No. Wilkesboro   NWBONCXA
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

**Tennessee:**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                          **WIRE CENTER**  **CLLI**
  ------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
  CenturyTel of Clairborne, Inc.        NEWTAZWELL       NWTZTNXA

  CenturyTel of Clairborne, Inc.        SHARPSCHPL       SHCPTNXA

  Citizens Telecom -- Vol St DBA        CLAXTON          CXTNTNXA
  Frontier Vol. State                                    

  Citizens Telecom -- Vol St DBA        POWELL           POWLTNXA
  Frontier Vol. State                                    

  Citizens Telecom -- Vol St DBA        RUTLEDGE         RTLGTNXA
  Frontier Vol. State                                    

  Citizens Telecom -- Vol St DBA        TATE SPG         TTSPTNXA
  Frontier Vol. State                                    

  Citizens Telecom -- Vol St DBA        WASHBURN         WSBNTNXA
  Frontier Vol. State                                    

  Concord Telephone Exchange, Inc.      CONCORD          CNCRTNXA

  Highland Telephone Coop., Inc. -- TN  DEER LODGE       DRLDTNXA

  Highland Telephone Coop., Inc. -- TN  HUNTSVILLE       HNVITNXA

  Highland Telephone Coop., Inc. -- TN  OAKDALE          OKDLTNXA

  Highland Telephone Coop., Inc. -- TN  ONEIDA           ONEDTNXA

  Highland Telephone Coop., Inc. -- TN  PETROS           PTRSTNXA

  Highland Telephone Coop., Inc. -- TN  ROBBINS          RBNSTNXA

  Highland Telephone Coop., Inc. -- TN  SUNBRIGHT        SNBRTNXA

  Highland Telephone Coop., Inc. -- TN  WARTBURG         WABGTNXA

  Tellico Telephone Co., Inc.           BALL PLAY        BLPLTNXA

  Tellico Telephone Co., Inc.           COKERCREEK       CKCKTNXA

  Tellico Telephone Co., Inc.           ENGLEWOOD        ENWDTNXA

  Tellico Telephone Co., Inc.           NIOTA            NIOTTNXA

  Tellico Telephone Co., Inc.           RICEVILLE        RCVLTNXA

  Tellico Telephone Co., Inc.           TELLICO PL       TLPLTNXA

  Tellico Telephone Co., Inc.           VONORE           VONRTNXA
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

**Virginia:**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                          **WIRE CENTER**  **CLLI**
  ------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
  Burke's Garden Telephone Co., Inc.    BURKESGRDN       BRGRVAXA

  Citizens Telephone Cooperative        ALUM RIDGE       ALRGVAXA

  Citizens Telephone Cooperative        BALLARD          BLLRVAXA

  Citizens Telephone Cooperative        FLOYD            FLYDVAXA

  Citizens Telephone Cooperative        LOCUST GRV       LCGVVAXA

  Citizens Telephone Cooperative        WILLIS           WILSVAXA

  New Castle Telephone Co.              NEW CASTLE       NWCSVAXA

  New Castle Telephone Co.              PAINT BANK       PNBNVAXA

  Pembroke Telephone Cooperative        NEWPORT          NWPTVAXA

  Pembroke Telephone Cooperative        PEMBROKE         PMBRVAXA

  Roanoke & Botetourt Telephone Co.     EAGLE ROCK       EGRKVAXA

  Roanoke & Botetourt Telephone Co.     FINCASTLE        FNCSVAXA

  Roanoke & Botetourt Telephone Co.     ORISKANY         ORSKVAXA

  Roanoke & Botetourt Telephone Co.     TROUTVILLE       TRVLVAXA
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

**EXHIBIT 29**

**[Rural Service Areas Requiring Reclassification]{.underline}**

**[Along Wire Center Boundaries For Inclusion]{.underline}**

**[In U.S. Cellular's ETC Service Area]{.underline}**

**New Hampshire:**[^187]

  -------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
  **LEC NAME**                           **WIRE CENTER**  **CLLI**

  Granite State Telephone Inc.           Hillsboro Upper  HUVGNHXADS0
                                         Village          

  Granite State Telephone Inc.           Washington       WASHNHXADS0

  Granite State Telephone Inc.           Weare            WEARNHXADS0
  -------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------

**North Carolina:**

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                          **WIRE CENTER**                  **CLLI**
  ------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------- --------------
  Alltel Carolina - North, Inc.         Aberdeen                         ABRDNCXA

  Alltel Carolina - North, Inc.         Broadway                         BRWYNCXA

  Alltel Carolina - North, Inc.         Columbus                         CLMBNCXA

  Alltel Carolina - North, Inc.         Green Creek                      GRCKNCXA

  Alltel Carolina - North, Inc.         King                             KINGNCXA

  Alltel Carolina - North, Inc.         Olivia                           OLIVNCXA

  Alltel Carolina - North, Inc.         Pine Bluff                       PNBLNCXA

  Alltel Carolina - North, Inc.         Sanford                          SNFRNCXA

  Alltel Carolina - North, Inc.         Tryon                            TRYNNCXA

  Alltel Carolina - North, Inc.         Wagram                           WGRNNCXA

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Boonville                        BNVLNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Dobson                           DBSNNCXB
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Danbury                          DNBRNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Eden 1                           EDENNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Eden 2                           EDENNCXB
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Elkin                            ELKNNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Madison                          MDSNNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Mount Airy                       MTARNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Pilot Mt                         PLMTNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Prospect Hill                    PRHLNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Roaring Gap                      RRGPNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Roxboro                          RXBONCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         State Road                       STRDNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Stoneville                       STVLNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Rougemont                        TMLKNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Wend                             WENDNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         W. Jefferson                     WJSNNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Walnut Cove 1                    QKGPNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Walnut Cove 2                    WLCVNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Yanceyville                      YCVLNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Central Telephone Co. - North         Yadkinville                      YDVLNCXA
  Carolina                                                               

  Randolph Telephone Membership Corp.   Bennett                          BNNTNCXA

  Randolph Telephone Membership Corp.   High Falls                       HGHFNCXA

  Skyline Telephone Membership          West Jefferson                   BLDWNCXA
  Corporation                                                            

  Skyline Telephone Membership          Creston                          CETNNCXA
  Corporation                                                            

  Skyline Telephone Membership          Glade Creek                      GLCKNCXA
  Corporation                                                            

  Skyline Telephone Membership          Lansing                          LNNGNCXA
  Corporation                                                            

  Skyline Telephone Membership          Nathans Creek                    NTCKNCXA
  Corporation                                                            

  Skyline Telephone Membership          Laurel Springs                   SCVLNCXA
  Corporation                                                            

  Skyline Telephone Membership          Sparta                           SPRTNCXA
  Corporation                                                            

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Ahoskie                          AHSKNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Aulander                         ALNDNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Angier                           ANGRNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Atlantic                         ATLTNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Aurora                           AURRNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Ayden                            AYDNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Bailey                           BALYNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Bath                             BATHNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Bethel                           BETHNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Beulaville                       BEVLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Bladenboro                       BLBONCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Belhaven                         BLHNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Benson                           BNSNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Bonlee                           BONLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Beaufort                         BUFTNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Buxton 1                         BXTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Buxton 2                         BXTNNCXB

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Bayboro                          BYBONCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Camden/Shiloh                    SHLHNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Chadbourn                        CHDBNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Clarkton                         CKTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Coinjock                         CNJCNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Columbia                         CLMANCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Colerain                         CLRNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Conway                           CNWYNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Carthage                         CRTHNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Creswell                         CRWLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Clayton                          CYTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Dunn                             DUNNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Erwin/Dunn                       DUNNNCXB

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Edenton                          EDTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Elizabeth City                   ELCYNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Enfield                          ENFDNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Engelhard                        ENGLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Elizabethtown                    EZTWNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Faison                           FASNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Fayetteville 1                   FYVLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Fayetteville 2                   FYVLNCXB

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Fayetteville 3                   FYCLNCXF

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Fayetteville 4                   FYVLNCXG

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Franklinton                      FKTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Fountain                         FONTNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Fuquay Varina                    FQVRNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Fremont                          FRMTNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Four Oaks                        FROKNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Farmville                        FRVLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Ft. Bragg                        FYVLNCXD

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Grifton                          GFTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Goldston                         GLDSNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Greenville 1                     GNVLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Greenville 2                     GNVLNCXB

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Eure/Gatesville                  GTVLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Halifax                          HLFXNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Hamilton                         HMTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Harbinger/Mamie                  MAMINCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Henderson                        HNSNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Hertford                         HRFRNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Havelock                         HVLCNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Holly Ridge                      HLRGNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Jackson                          JCSNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Jacksonville 1                   JCVLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Kill Devil Hills                 KDHLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Kitty Hawk                       KDHLNCXB

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Kenly                            KNLYNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Kenansville                      KNVLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Kinston                          KSTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   La Grange                        LGRNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Lake Waccamaw                    LKWCNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Lillington                       LLTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Louisburg                        LSBGNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Louisburg                        LSBGNCXB

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Lewiston/Woodville               LSTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Littleton                        LTTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Lucama                           LUCANCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Manteo                           MANTNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Moyock                           MOYCNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Moyock/Sligo                     MOYCNCXB

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Stacy/Marshallbg                 MRBGNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Murfreesboro                     MRBONCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Morehead City                    MRCYNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Deep Run/Moss Hill               MSHLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Maxton                           MSTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Maysville                        MYVLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Norlina                          NRLNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Nashville                        NSVLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   New Bern                         NWBRNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Newton Grove                     NWGVNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Newport                          NWPTNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Orcracoke                        OCRCNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Oriental                         ORNTNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Oxford                           OXFRNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Pollocksville                    PCVLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Pink Hill                        PKHLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Parkton                          PKTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Plymouth                         PLMONCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   PineHurst                        PNHRNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Pinetops                         PNTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Princeton                        PRTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Pittsboro                        PTBONCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Belvidere/Piney Wds              PYWDNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Raeford                          RAFDNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Robbins                          RBNXNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Robersonville                    RBVLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Richlands                        RCLDNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Rocky Mt 1                       RCMTNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Rich Square                      RCSQNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Red Springs                      RDSPNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Roanoke Rapids                   RNRPNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Roseboro                         RSBONCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Rose Hill                        RSHLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Roxobel                          RXBLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Seaboard                         SBRDNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Scotland Neck                    SCNKNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Siler City                       SLCYNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Smithfield                       SMFDNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Sunbury                          SNBYNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Sneads Ferry                     SNFYNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Snow Hill                        SNHLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Southern Pines                   SPNSNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Spring Hope                      SPRHNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Stantonsburg                     STBGNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   South Mills                      STMLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   St. Pauls                        STPLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Swan Quarter                     SWNQNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Emerald Isle                     SWNSNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Swanboro                         SWNSNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Tabor City                       TBCYNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Sneads/Top Sail                  TPISNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Tarboro                          TRBONCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Trenton                          TRENNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Vass                             VASSNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Vanceboro                        VNBONCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Washington                       WASHNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Waves                            WAVENCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Woodland                         WDLDNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Woodville                        WDVLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Carthage/Whispepins              WHPNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Whitakers                        WHTKNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Whiteville                       WHVLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Winton                           WITNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Wake Forest                      WKFSNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Weeksville                       WKVLNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Tyner/Welch                      WLCHNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Weldon                           WLDNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Wallace                          WLLCNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Wilson                           WLSNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Williamston                      WMTNNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Warsaw                           WRSWNCXA

  Sprint Mid-Atlantic                   Warrenton                        WRTNNCXA

  Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership    Hamptonville          BRKSNCXA   
  Corp.                                                                  

  Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership    East Bend             EBNDNCXA   
  Corp.                                                                  

  Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership    Forbush               FRBSNCXA   
  Corp.                                                                  
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Tennessee:**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **LEC NAME**                        **WIRE CENTER**   **CLLI**
  ----------------------------------- ----------------- -----------------
  North Central Telephone Coop., Inc. BETHPAGE          BTHPTNXA
  -- TN                                                 

  North Central Telephone Coop., Inc. DEFEATED          DFTDTNXA
  -- TN                                                 

  North Central Telephone Coop., Inc. GREENGROVE        GNGVTNXA
  -- TN                                                 

  North Central Telephone Coop., Inc. HILLSDALE         HLDLTNXA
  -- TN                                                 

  North Central Telephone Coop., Inc. LAFAYETTE         LFYTTNXA
  -- TN                                                 

  North Central Telephone Coop., Inc. OAK GROVE         OKGVTNXA
  -- TN                                                 

  North Central Telephone Coop., Inc. PLEASASHAD        PLSHTNXA
  -- TN                                                 

  North Central Telephone Coop., Inc. RDBOLNGSPG        RBSPTNXA
  -- TN                                                 

  North Central Telephone Coop., Inc. WESTMORELD        WMLDTNXA
  -- TN                                                 
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

**Virginia:**[^188]

  ----------------------------------- ----------------- -----------------
  **LEC NAME**                        **WIRE CENTER**   **CLLI**

  NTELOS Telephone Inc.               CLIFTNFORG        CFFRVAXA

  NTELOS Telephone Inc.               POTTSCREEK        PTCKVAXA

  Peoples Mutual Telephone Co.        SANDYLEVEL        SNLVVAXA

  Central Telephone Co. - Virginia    ARARAT            ARRTVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               ARVONIA           ARVNVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               AXTON             AXTNVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               BUCKINGHAM        BCHMVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               BOONESMILL        BNMLVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               BROWNSBURG        BRBGVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               BROOKNEAL         BRKNVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               BASSETT           BSSTVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               BURNTCHMNY        BTCHVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               CHARLOTSVL        CHVLVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               CROZET            CRZTVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               DILLWYN           DLWYVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               FORK UNION        FKUNVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               FIELDALE          FLDLVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               FERRUM            FRRMVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               FARMVILLE         FRVLVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               GLADYS            GLDYVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               GLASGOW           GLSGVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               HALIFAX           HLFXVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               HAMPDESDNY        HMSYVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               LEXINGTON         LXTNVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               MEADOWSDAN        MDDNVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               MARTINSVL         MTVIVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               NATURALBDG        NTBRVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               PALMYRA           PLMYVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               PROSPECT          PRSPVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               ROCKYMOUNT        RCMTVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               RIDGEWAY          RDWYVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               RUSTBURG          RSBGVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               SO BOSTON         SBTNVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               SCHUYLER          SCHLVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               SCOTTSVL          SCVLVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               STANARDSVL        SDVLVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               SPENCER           SPNCVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               TURBEVILLE        TBVLVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               UNION HALL        UNHLVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               VOLENS            VLNSVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               VIRGILINA         VRGLVAXA

  Central Telephone Co.               WOOLWINE          WLWNVAXA

  Verizon South Inc. -- VA            BLUEFIELD         BLFDVAXA

  Verizon South Inc. -- VA            ROCKY GAP         RCGPVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     AUSTINVL          ATVLVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     BLAND             BLNDVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     CANA              CANAVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     CERES             CERSVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     CHILHOWIE         CHLHVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     CMSRKELCRK        CMRKVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     CRIPPLECRK        CRCKVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     FRIES             FRISVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     GALAX             GALXVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     GLADE SPG         GDSPVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     HILLSVILLE        HLVLVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     INDEPNDNCE        INDPVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     KONNAROCK         KNRKVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     LAURELFORK        LRFKVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     MARION            MARNVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     MOUTHWILSN        MTWLVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     MAXMEADOWS        MXMDVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     RICHVALLEY        RCVYVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     RURALRTRET        RRRTVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     SUGARGROVE        SGGVVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     SALTVILLE         SLVLVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     SYLVATUS          SYLVVAXA

  United Inter-Mountain Telephone     WYTHEVILLE        WYVLVAXA
  ----------------------------------- ----------------- -----------------

**APPENDIX C**

**RCC Minnesota, Inc. and RCC Atlantic, Inc. New Hampshire ETC
Designation Amendment**

1.  On October 7, 2005, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau)
    released an order granting a petition of RCC Minnesota, Inc. and RCC
    Atlantic, Inc. (RCC) to be designated as an ETC in portions of its
    licensed service areas in the state of New Hampshire.[^189] In its
    petition, RCC requested ETC designation in the entirety of the
    Kearsarge Telephone Company study area. However, RCC failed to
    include one wire center in the Kearsarge Telephone Company study
    area, the Meridian wire center, in the list of wire centers attached
    to its petition. Because RCC did not identify the Meridian wire
    center in the list of Kearsarge Telephone Company wire centers in
    its Petition, Appendix B of the *RCC Order* similarly did not
    include this wire center.[^190] RCC has notified the Commission of
    this omission.[^191] Inclusion of this wire center would not have
    changed the Bureau's analysis because RCC requested, and the Bureau
    granted, designation in the entire Kearsarge Telephone Company study
    area. Therefore, we amend Appendix B of the *RCC Order* by inserting
    "Meridian MRDNNHXA" in the list of Kearsarge Telephone Company
    service areas, following "Chichester CHCHNHXA."

    **APPENDIX D**

    **Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis**

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
1.  As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended
    (RFA),[^192] an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was
    incorporated in the *Notice*.[^193] The Commission sought written
    public comment on the proposals in the *Notice*, including comment
    on the IRFA.[^194] This Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA)
    conforms to the RFA.[^195]

## Need for, and Objectives of, the Proposed Rules

100. On May 1, 2007, the Joint Board recommended that the Commission
     adopt an interim cap on high-cost universal service support for
     competitive ETCs to rein in the explosive growth in universal
     service.[^196] We agree with the Joint Board's assessment that the
     rapid growth in high-cost support places the federal universal
     service fund in dire jeopardy. In 2006, the universal service fund
     provided approximately \$4.1 billion per year in high-cost
     support.[^197] In contrast, in 2001, high-cost universal service
     support totaled approximately \$2.6 billion.[^198] In recent years,
     this growth has been due to increased support provided to
     competitive ETCs, which receive high-cost support based on the
     per-line support that the incumbent LECs receive, rather than on
     the competitive ETCs' own costs. While support to incumbent LECs
     has been flat, or has even declined since 2003,[^199] competitive
     ETC support, in the six years from 2001 through 2006, has grown
     from under \$17 million to \$980 million -- an average annual
     growth rate of over 100 percent.[^200] Competitive ETCs received
     \$557 million in high-cost support in the first six months of
     2007.[^201] Annualizing this amount projects that they will receive
     approximately \$1.11 billion in 2007. We find that the continued
     growth of the fund at this rate is not sustainable and would
     require excessive (and ever growing) contributions from consumers
     to pay for this fund growth. [^202]

101. We conclude that immediate action must be taken to stem the
     dramatic growth in high-cost support. Therefore, we immediately
     impose an interim cap on high-cost support provided to competitive
     ETCs until fundamental comprehensive reforms are adopted to address
     issues related to the distribution of support and to ensure that
     the universal service fund will be sustainable for future years.
     The interim cap that we adopt herein limits the amount of high-cost
     support that competitive ETCs can receive in the interim period to
     the amount they were eligible to receive in March 2008 on an
     annualized basis.

## Summary of Significant Issues Raised by Public Comments in Response to the IRFA

102. None

## Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which Rules Will Apply

103. The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of, and, where
     feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities that may be
     affected by the rules, if adopted.[^203] The RFA generally defines
     the term "small entity"[^204] as having the same meaning as the
     terms "small business,"[^205] "small organization," [^206] and
     "small governmental jurisdiction."[^207] In addition, the term
     "small business" has the same meaning as the term "small business
     concern" under the Small Business Act, unless the Commission has
     developed one or more definitions that are appropriate to its
     activities.[^208] Under the Small Business Act, a "small business
     concern" is one that: (1) is independently owned and operated; (2)
     is not dominant in its field of operation; and (3) meets any
     additional criteria established by the Small Business
     Administration (SBA).[^209] Nationwide, there are a total of
     approximately 22.4 million small businesses, according to SBA
     data.[^210] A small organization is generally "any not-for-profit
     enterprise which is independently owned and operated and is not
     dominant in its field."[^211] Nationwide, as of 2002, there were
     approximately 1.6 million small organizations.[^212]

104. The most reliable source of information regarding the total numbers
     of certain common carrier and related providers nationwide, as well
     as the number of commercial wireless entities, is the data that the
     Commission publishes in its *Trends in Telephone Service*
     report.[^213] The SBA has developed small business size standards
     for wireline and wireless small businesses within the three
     commercial census categories of Wired Telecommunications
     Carriers,[^214] Paging,[^215] and Cellular and Other Wireless
     Telecommunications.[^216] Under these categories, a business is
     small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. Below, using the above
     size standards and others, we discuss the total estimated numbers
     of small businesses that might be affected by our actions.

### Wireline Carriers and Service Providers

105. We have included small incumbent local exchange carriers (LECs) in
     this present RFA analysis. As noted above, a "small business" under
     the RFA is one that, *inter* *alia*, meets the pertinent small
     business size standard (e.g., a telephone communications business
     having 1,500 or fewer employees), and "is not dominant in its field
     of operation."[^217] The SBA's Office of Advocacy contends that,
     for RFA purposes, small incumbent LECs are not dominant in their
     field of operation because any such dominance is not "national" in
     scope.[^218] We have therefore included small incumbent LECs in
     this RFA analysis, although we emphasize that this RFA action has
     no effect on Commission analyses and determinations in other,
     non-RFA contexts.

106. *Incumbent LECs*. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed
     a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable to
     incumbent LECs. The closest applicable size standard under SBA
     rules is for "Wired Telecommunications Carriers." Under that size
     standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer
     employees.[^219] According to Commission data,[^220] 1,307 carriers
     reported that they were engaged in the provision of local exchange
     services. Of these 1,307 carriers, an estimated 1,019 have 1,500 or
     fewer employees, and 288 have more than 1,500 employees.
     Consequently, the Commission estimates that most providers of
     incumbent local exchange service are small businesses that may be
     affected by our action.

107. *Competitive LECs, Competitive Access Providers (CAPs),
     "Shared-Tenant Service Providers," and "Other Local Service
     Providers."* Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a
     small business size standard specifically for these service
     providers. The appropriate size standard under SBA rules is for the
     category "Wired Telecommunications Carriers." Under that size
     standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer
     employees.[^221] According to Commission data,[^222] 859 carriers
     reported that they were engaged in the provision of either
     competitive LEC or CAP services. Of these 859 carriers, an
     estimated 741 have 1,500 or fewer employees, and 118 have more than
     1,500 employees.[^223] In addition, 16 carriers have reported that
     they are "Shared-Tenant Service Providers," and all 16 are
     estimated to have 1,500 or fewer employees. In addition, 44
     carriers have reported that they are "Other Local Service
     Providers." Of the 44, an estimated 43 have 1,500 or fewer
     employees, and one has more than 1,500 employees. Consequently, the
     Commission estimates that most competitive LECs, CAPs,
     "Shared-Tenant Service Providers," and "Other Local Service
     Providers" are small entities that may be affected by our action.

### Wireless Carriers and Service Providers

108. *Wireless Service Providers*. The appropriate size standard for
     wireless service providers is the category of "Wireless
     Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)." Under that
     standard, the SBA deems a wireless business to be small if it has
     1,500 or fewer employees.[^224] The data necessary to estimate the
     number of entities in this category has not been gathered since it
     was adopted in November 2007. Therefore, we will use the earlier,
     now-superceded categories -- "Paging" and "Cellular and Other
     Wireless Telecommunications" -- to estimate the number of entities.
     For the census category of "Paging," Census Bureau data for 2002
     show that there were 807 firms in this category that operated for
     the entire year.[^225] Of this total, 804 firms had employment of
     999 or fewer employees, and three firms had employment of 1,000
     employees or more.[^226] Thus, under this category and associated
     small business size standard, the majority of firms can be
     considered small. For the census category of "Cellular and Other
     Wireless Telecommunications," Census Bureau data for 2002 show that
     there were 1,397 firms in this category that operated for the
     entire year.[^227] Of this total, 1,378 firms had employment of 999
     or fewer employees, and 19 firms had employment of 1,000 employees
     or more.[^228] Thus, under this second category and size standard,
     the majority of firms can, again, be considered small.

109. *Wireless Telephony*. Wireless telephony includes cellular,
     personal communications services (PCS), and specialized mobile
     radio (SMR) telephony carriers. As noted earlier, the SBA has
     developed a small business size standard for "Wireless
     Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)." Under that SBA
     small business size standard, a business is small if it has 1,500
     or fewer employees.[^229] The data necessary to estimate the number
     of entities in this category has not been gathered since it was
     adopted in November 2007. Therefore, we will use the earlier,
     now-superceded categories of "Cellular and Other Wireless
     Telecommunications" to estimate the number of entities. According
     to Commission data, 432 carriers reported that they were engaged in
     the provision of wireless telephony.[^230] We have estimated that
     221 of these are small under the SBA small business size standard.

### Satellite Service Providers

110. *Satellite Telecommunications and Other Telecommunications*. There
     is no small business size standard developed specifically for
     providers of international service. The appropriate size standards
     under SBA rules are for the two broad census categories of
     "Satellite Telecommunications" and "All Other Telecommunications."

111. The first category of "Satellite Telecommunications" "comprises
     establishments primarily engaged in providing point-to-point
     telecommunications services to other establishments in the
     telecommunications and broadcasting industries by forwarding and
     receiving communications signals via a system of satellites or
     reselling satellite telecommunications."[^231] Under this category,
     the SBA size standard is \$13.5 million or less in aveage annual
     receipts.[^232]For this category, Census Bureau data for 2002 show
     that there were a total of 371 firms that operated for the entire
     year.[^233] Of this total, 307 firms had annual receipts of under
     \$10 million, and 26 firms had receipts of \$10 million to
     \$24,999,999.[^234] Consequently, we estimate that the majority of
     Satellite Telecommunications firms are small entities that might be
     affected by our action.

112. The second category of "All Other Telecommunications" "comprises
     establishments primarily engaged in (1) providing specialized
     telecommunications applications, such as satellite tracking,
     communications telemetry, and radar station operations; or (2)
     providing satellite terminal stations and associated facilities
     operationally connected with one or more terrestrial communications
     systems and capable of transmitting telecommunications to or
     receiving telecommunications from satellite systems."[^235] The SBA
     size standard for "All Other Telecommunications" is \$23.0 million
     or less in average annual revenues. [^236] For this category,
     Census Bureau data for 2002 show that there were a total of 332
     firms that operated for the entire year.[^237] Of this total, 259
     firms had annual receipts of under \$10 million and 15 firms had
     annual receipts of \$10 million to \$24,999,999.[^238]
     Consequently, we estimate that the majority of Other
     Telecommunications firms are small entities that might be affected
     by our action.

## Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance Requirements

113. In order to qualify for the exception to the interim cap, some
     small carriers serving tribal lands or Native Alaskan regions will
     be required to file certifications that they qualify for the
     exception. Other small carriers may qualify for an exception if
     they file data reporting their costs of serving high-cost areas for
     which they seek the exception to be applied.

## Steps Taken to Minimize Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities, and Significant Alternatives Considered

114. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant alternatives
     that it has considered in reaching its proposed approach, which may
     include the following four alternatives (among others): (1) the
     establishment of differing compliance and reporting requirements or
     timetables that take into account the resources available to small
     entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification
     of compliance or reporting requirements under the rule for small
     entities; (3) the use of performance, rather than design,
     standards; and (4) an exemption from coverage of the rule, or part
     thereof, for small entities.[^239]

115. In adopting the interim cap, the Commission considered several
     alternatives to minimize the cap's effect on small entites. We
     adopt an exception to the rule for carriers providing services to
     tribal lands. We also note that the Commission is examining ways to
     comprehensively reform federal high-cost universal service. The
     interim cap that the Commission adopts today is an interim measure
     that will be replaced by comprehensive reforms which will be
     developed in the future and which will minimize any economically
     adverse effect of the cap on small businesses.

## Report to Congress

116. The Commission will send a copy of the Order, including this FRFA,
     in a report to be sent to Congress pursuant to the SBREFA.[^240] In
     addition, the Commission will send a copy of the Order, including
     the FRFA, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA. A copy of
     the Order and the FRFA (or summaries thereof) will also be
     published in the Federal Register.[^241]

**STATEMENT OF**

**CHAIRMAN KEVIN J. MARTIN**

*Re: High-Cost Universal Service Support,* *Federal-State Joint Board on
Universal Service, Alltel Communications, Inc., et al. Petitions for
Designation as Eligible Telecommunications Carriers, RCC Minnesota, Inc.
and RCC Atlantic, Inc. New Hampshire ETC Designation Amendment,* WC
Docket No. 05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45.

Today, we act to stem the explosive growth of the Universal Service Fund
(Fund) by capping total annual high-cost universal service support for
competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) at the level of
support that they were eligible to receive in each state during March
2008. This action is essential to preserve and advance the benefits of
the universal service program while we consider comprehensive reform.

The United States and the Commission have a long history and tradition
of ensuring that rural areas of the country are connected and have
similar opportunities for communications as other areas. Our universal
service program must continue to promote investment in rural America's
infrastructure and ensure access to telecommunications services that are
comparable to those available in urban areas today, as well as provide a
platform for delivery of advanced services.

 

Changes in technology and increases in the number of carriers that
receive universal service support, however, have placed significant
pressure on the stability of the Fund. A large and rapidly growing
portion of the high-cost support program is now devoted to supporting
multiple competitors to serve areas in which costs are prohibitively
expensive for even one carrier. These competitive ETCs don't receive
support based on their own costs, but rather on the costs of the
incumbent provider, even if their costs of providing service are lower.

Indeed, growth in required contributions to the Fund is largely
attributable to these competitive ETCs. High-cost support to competitive
ETCs has grown from approximately \$1.5 million in 2000 to well over \$1
billion in 2007. Left unchecked, this staggering growth threatens the
sustainability of the Fund.

A year ago, the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service
recommended capping competitive ETC funding to address the escalating
impact of this problem. I supported that recommendation, and six months
ago, I proposed the cap we adopt today.

Today's decision is not an end in itself, but a step on the path towards
comprehensive reform. I continue to believe the long-term answer for
comprehensive reform of high-cost universal service support is to move
to a reverse auction methodology and to require that high-cost support
be based on a carrier's own costs.  I'm supportive of these measures to
contain the growth of universal service in order to preserve and advance
the benefits of the Fund and protect the ability of people in rural
areas to continue to be connected.  I look forward to working with my
colleagues as we consider comprehensive reform.

**DISSENTING STATEMENT OF**

**COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS**

*Re: High-Cost Universal Service Support,* *Federal-State Joint Board on
Universal Service, Alltel Communications, Inc., et al. Petitions for
Designation as Eligible Telecommunications Carriers, RCC Minnesota, Inc.
and RCC Atlantic, Inc. New Hampshire ETC Designation Amendment,* WC
Docket No. 05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45.

I dissent from today's decision to cap high-cost support for competitive
eligible telecommunications carriers (CETC) because it falls woefully
short of the fundamental, comprehensive reforms needed to meet the
overarching telecommunications challenge of the Twenty-first century.
That challenge, both by statute and by necessity, is to encourage the
deployment of basic and advanced telecommunications to all of our
citizens and to ensure that the Universal Service system, which
accomplished so much in the 20th Century, can do so again now. Today's
decision does nothing meaningful to meet that challenge; indeed, it only
deflects us from the goal. The outcome is an illusory band-aid that is
supposed to contain costs but, in reality, imposes the much heavier cost
of lost opportunity to reform Universal Service and put America back in
the vanguard of advanced telecommunications. As a result of today's
vote, real reform is on the back-burner. What a pity!

The need for reform is patently obvious. As this country continues to
lag in so many international broadband rankings and as consumers and
competitors around the world are receiving high-speed and high-value
services, Americans in urban and rural areas and on tribal lands are
falling further behind. One critical element of turning this ship around
is re-tooling the Universal Service system with broadband deployment as
its mission. And while my colleagues on the Federal-State Universal
Service Joint Board unanimously agreed to make broadband part of the
system, today's Order has the effect of putting this off to another day.
So too does it put off the many other difficult questions regarding
sustainability of the Fund that the Joint Board wrestled with and put in
its recommendations six months ago.

Comprehensive reform is not painless and may require shared sacrifice
from all stakeholders. Yet, today's piecemeal approach has the
unfortunate consequence of pushing interested parties apart rather than
bringing them all to the table to develop workable solutions. Just
consider that 365 days ago the Joint Board recommended an interim,
emergency high-cost cap. Since then Commission and stakeholder attention
has been largely focused on the merits and demerits of such a cap.
Today's Order ends up picking winners and losers when it comes to future
Universal Service support and increases the risk that no one will return
to the table to discuss real reform any time soon. Had all interested
parties spent the same time and energy over the last year focused on
comprehensive reform, we might "be there" already.

The Commission seems to forget that we do not have the luxury of time
here. Why is it slamming on the brakes when it comes to reform? The
Joint Board gave us more, and it is those proposals we should be
considering in a more comprehensive fashion. While I disagreed with some
of the Joint Board's recommendations, at a minimum they put us on the
road to real reform. The majority's response today, while they will
attempt to bill it as an "interim, emergency cap", has no sunset period
and commits only to completing comprehensive reform "as soon as
feasible." Remember that old song "The Twelfth of Never"?

While I strongly disagree with the overall decision taken today, I am
encouraged the majority added to their CETC cap two caveats that I have
long deemed important. The Order excludes from the cap high cost support
for CETCs serving tribal lands or Native Alaskan Regions. These areas
are among the most underserved when it comes to
telecommunications---both basic phone service and broadband. The
Commission must continue to focus on ways to bring affordable services
to these areas as their residents are equally deserving of the benefits
that technology affords. Second, a CETC will not be subject to the cap
to the extent it provides cost data documenting its actual costs for
providing competitive service. I continue to believe that the
elimination of the Identical Support rule should be part of any
comprehensive solution and this step is consistent with that approach.

I, for one, will continue to beat the drums for comprehensive Universal
Service reform. It's what Congress wants, what the statute commands, and
what consumers deserve. So I pledge today to do everything I can to
encourage all stakeholders to come to the table and take on the
unfinished business of empowering all our citizens through the awesome
new tools of communications technology.

**DISSENTING STATEMENT OF**

**COMMISSIONER JONATHAN S. ADELSTEIN**

*Re: High-Cost Universal Service Support,* *Federal-State Joint Board on
Universal Service, Alltel Communications, Inc., et al. Petitions for
Designation as Eligible Telecommunications Carriers, RCC Minnesota, Inc.
and RCC Atlantic, Inc. New Hampshire ETC Designation Amendment,* WC
Docket No. 05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45.

Universal service has long been at the heart of telecommunications
policy. The resulting benefits -- economic and social, in health care
and education -- accrue to us all, no matter where we live. So I take
seriously our directive under the Act to ensure the continued vitality
of universal service and am extremely grateful to the members of the
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service for their multiple
recommendations. Despite the importance and magnitude of the challenge
of developing meaningful long-term improvements to our universal service
policies, the Commission focuses today solely on the narrow question of
whether to cap support for competitive eligible telecommunications
carriers (CETCs). After careful deliberation, I dissent from this Order,
which, I conclude, amounts to a step backwards in universal service
policy rather than a step toward the future.

While I am deeply skeptical about the imposition of artificial caps on
universal service, I have long been concerned about fund growth and the
need to manage scarce resources responsibly. One apparent obstacle to
that goal is the current designation process, which gives State
commissions strong incentives to designate additional universal service
recipients but places no corresponding financial responsibility for
those designations. Going back to my days on the Joint Board, I have
urged both our Commission and our State commission colleagues to
exercise caution in granting CETC designations. Yet, the cap mechanism
adopted by the Commission today suffers from a major flaw because it
penalizes most harshly the very States that heeded calls for discretion
in the designation process.

I would have preferred that the Commission take more meaningful measures
to address growth of the fund, such as eliminating the Commission's
so-called identical support rule, tightening the designation process and
improving the Commission's audit processes. In this respect, I
appreciate the majority's efforts to address a number of my concerns
with this revised cap mechanism, such as creating an exception for CETCs
that document their own costs. I am also pleased that the Commission
recognizes the unique nature of Tribal lands and Alaskan Native Regions,
many of which face devastatingly low telephone penetration rates and
high barriers to deploying advanced communications. A limited exemption
should help maintain incentives for carriers to bring services to these
hard-to-serve areas.

As technology and the marketplace rapidly reshape the communications
landscape, we face difficult questions about how our universal service
policies should keep pace. Our larger challenge is preserving and
advancing universal service amidst these changes. At the same time, we
remain ever mindful that it is consumers who ultimately fund universal
service contributions. This means that universal service must evolve, as
Congress intended. In particular, universal service can and must be an
integral part of meeting our nation's broadband challenge. We also must
craft our universal service policies with an eye towards their impact on
providers of last resort, the deployment of spectrum-based services, the
competitive marketplace, and the role of the states. The time is now to
tackle these issues in earnest, lest time and technology render our
policies obsolete.

I share the concern expressed by so many commenters and Members of
Congress that this decision to impose a cap, while labeled "interim,"
may be used as an excuse for foot dragging. Our choices regarding
long-term universal service reform will require hard work and the input
of a wide range of providers, state commissions, and consumer interests.
Rightly so, for our decisions will have a dramatic effect on the ability
of communities and consumers in Rural America to thrive and grow with
the rest of the country. Yet, today, we do not meaningfully advance
those discussions. Rather, the entire debate over the cap has, in fact,
been a distraction from tackling the underlying issues.

With the question of a cap now decided, the Commission must now turn its
attention back to developing long-term solutions for universal service.
I would like to again thank the Members of the Joint Board for their
considerable efforts to deliver recommendations for comprehensive
reform. The Commission has now sought comment on no less than three
reform proposals. While I am not without reservations about some of
them, it is time for the Commission to rededicate itself to ensuring
that universal service continues to meet our communications challenges
and stays vibrant in a broadband age. I look forward to the coming
dialogue with Members of Congress, our state commission colleagues,
consumers, providers, and the many others with a stake in the future of
universal service.

**STATEMENT OF**

**COMMISSIONER DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE**

*Re: High-Cost Universal Service Support,* *Federal-State Joint Board on
Universal Service, Alltel Communications, Inc., et al. Petitions for
Designation as Eligible Telecommunications Carriers, RCC Minnesota, Inc.
and RCC Atlantic, Inc. New Hampshire ETC Designation Amendment,* WC
Docket No. 05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45.

Today we take an important and historic step down the necessary road to
real reform of universal service. Specifically, the Commission takes
appropriate action to rein in the explosive growth in high-cost
universal service support disbursements to competitive eligible
telecommunications carriers.

In both my role at the Commission and as Federal Chair of the
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board), I have
been clear about my commitment to the key tenets of universal service:
to promote the availability of quality services at just, reasonable and
affordable rates, to increase access to advanced telecommunications
services throughout the Nation, and to advance the availability of such
services to all consumers in the U.S., no matter where they live. At the
same time, we all recognize that the system is outdated as competition
and ever-changing technologies have caused inefficiencies in the current
system. I look forward to examining market-oriented solutions such as
reverse auctions that can provide appropriate incentives for investment
and efficiencies, and closely scrutinizing whether it make economic
sense to provide ongoing support for multiple providers who ultimately
compete for the same customers. As we examine comprehensive reform our
focus should be on encouraging efficiencies, as well as reviewing
affordability and creating a level playing field. Most importantly, we
must ensure that support from the fund is being utilized as it was
intended: to provide services to those in truly high cost areas. And we
must do so in a way that is efficient, targeted and fiscally
responsible. As stewards of public funds, we must remain mindful that it
is consumers who ultimately pay universal service contributions.

It has been almost one year since the Joint Board made its
recommendation and I would like to reiterate my appreciation for my
Co-Chair, Commissioner Ray Baum of the Oregon Public Utility Commission
and all of the Joint Board members. Each made valuable contributions to
the process and set aside their individual state interests to work
toward a unified, national recommendation. In addition, I would like to
recognize the dedication and years of committed work of Billy Jack
Gregg, former Consumer Advocate of West Virginia, and other public
interest stakeholders. Their important input was crucial to bringing us
to this point in the process. They should all take pride in the fact
that their interim recommendation was adopted today by the Commission
and will immediately begin to curb the unsustainable growth-at least
regarding the high cost fund.

I want to commend members of Congress who have drafted universal service
reform proposals- the most recent from Congressman Barton whose draft is
renewing discussion on fresh and innovative ideas. I look forward to
working with members of Congress as we progress toward comprehensive
reform and hope we may all come together to address the issues for the
good of the program.

Now, the difficult work must begin again toward lasting and full reform
to insure the viability of our universal service fund in this new
digital age. I humbly ask all of the providers/companies, scholars,
economists, professors, and consumer advocates and others with unique
knowledge to help us balance the varied and various interests and to
work toward a consensus which will continue to insure the fund will
remain for future generations.

**STATEMENT OF**

**COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL**

*Re: High-Cost Universal Service Support,* *Federal-State Joint Board on
Universal Service, Alltel Communications, Inc., et al. Petitions for
Designation as Eligible Telecommunications Carriers, RCC Minnesota, Inc.
and RCC Atlantic, Inc. New Hampshire ETC Designation Amendment,* WC
Docket No. 05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45.

I support this Order imposing an interim cap on the Universal Service
High Cost Fund. Since becoming a commissioner, I have maintained that
controlling the growth of the fund should be the Commission's first
priority. Like an unabated fever, expenditures from this fund continue
to spike out of control. Ultimately, it is consumers who pay for these
unbridled escalations. While the Commission works toward broader and
permanent reform, it is our duty to enact a temporary measure to instill
fiscal discipline.

For a time, it appeared as though the runaway growth of the fund was
slowing. After a spike in the contribution factor to 11.7 percent for
the second quarter of 2007, the factor declined steadily to 10.2 percent
for the first quarter of 2008. However, the contribution factor is on
the increase again, to 11.3 percent for the second quarter of 2008, as
announced by the Commission's Office of Managing Director on March 14.
Funding for competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (CETCs) is
increasing at a rate of roughly \$150 million per year, and some
estimate that the CETC funding level could reach as high as \$1.4
billion by 2009, if left unchecked. Moreover, this estimate does not
even take into account the additional potential increase in demand for
CETC funding to build out AWS and 700 MHz spectrum when services on
those frequencies come on line.

As a result of our order, the fund is frozen at March 2008 levels.
Additionally, I support an exception for all of the providers serving
tribal lands across the country, and Alaska Native lands -- some of the
most under-served parts of America. This limited exception will ensure
that companies operating in these remote areas will continue to receive
high-cost support to provide their services while we move toward a
permanent solution. Furthermore, these terms do not favor any specific
provider.

I look forward to pursuing comprehensive reform of the Universal Service
system as quickly as possible. The Commission has a rare opportunity to
enact permanent reform this year, and I am encouraged by the Chairman's
pledge to forge ahead. As always, I will work closely with my
colleagues, Congress, industry, and consumers toward this end.

[^1]: *See High-Cost Universal Service Support; Federal-State Joint
    Board on Universal Service*, WC Docket No. 05-337, CC Docket No.
    96-45, Recommended Decision, 22 FCC Rcd 8998 (Fed.-State Jt. Bd.
    2007) *(Recommended Decision*).

[^2]: The Commission is required by statute to act within one year after
    receiving a recommendation from the Joint Board. 47 U.S.C. §
    254(a)(2).

[^3]: *See infra* para. 4*.*

[^4]: *See infra* para. 39, App. B.

[^5]: *See Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service*, CC Docket
    No. 96-45, Order, 17 FCC Rcd 22642 (2002).

[^6]: *Id*.

[^7]: *See Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service*, CC Docket
    No. 96-45, Recommended Decision, 19 FCC Rcd 4257 (Fed.-State Jt. Bd.
    2004) (*2004 Recommended Decision*).

[^8]: *Id*. at 4294, para. 88.

[^9]: *See Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service*, CC Docket
    No. 96-45, Order, 19 FCC Rcd 11538, para. 1 (2004) (*Rural*
    *Referral Order*)*; Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service;
    Multi-Association Group (MAG) Plan for Regulation of Interstate
    Services of Non-Price Cap Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers and
    Interexchange Carriers*, Fourteenth Report and Order, Twenty-Second
    Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    in CC Docket No. 96-45, and Report and Order in CC Docket No.
    00-256, 16 FCC Rcd 11244, 11268-70 (2001) (*Rural Task Force
    Order*); *see also Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service;
    High-Cost Universal Service Support*, CC Docket No. 96-45, WC Docket
    No. 05-337, Order, 21 FCC Rcd 5514 (2006) (extending the *Rural Task
    Force Order* plan).

[^10]: *See Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service Seeks Comment
    on Certain of the Commission's Rules Relating to High-Cost Universal
    Service Support*, CC Docket No. 96-45, Public Notice, 19 FCC Rcd
    16083 (Fed.-State Jt. Bd. 2004).

[^11]: *See id.* at 16094, paras. 36-37.

[^12]: *See Federal State Joint Board on Universal Service Seeks Comment
    on Proposals to Modify the Commission's Rules Relating to High-Cost
    Universal Service Support*, CC Docket No. 96-45, Public Notice, 20
    FCC Rcd 14267 (Fed.-State Jt. Bd. 2005); *Federal-State Joint Board
    on Universal Service Seeks Comment on the Merits of Using Auctions
    to Determine High-Cost Universal Service Support*, WC Docket No.
    05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45, Public Notice, 21 FCC Rcd 9292
    (Fed.-State Jt. Bd. 2006). In February 2007, the Joint Board held an
    *en banc* hearing to discuss high-cost universal service support in
    rural areas, including the use of reverse auctions and geographic
    information systems to determine support for ETCs. *See
    Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service to Hold En Banc
    Hearing on High-Cost Universal Service Support in Areas Served by
    Rural Carriers,* WC Docket No. 05-337, Public Notice, 22 FCC Rcd
    2545 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2007).

[^13]: *See Recommended Decision*, 22 FCC Rcd at 8999-9001, paras. 4-7.
    The Joint Board committed to making recommendations on comprehensive
    reform within six months (i.e., by November 1, 2007), and sought
    comment on comprehensive reform in a public notice released on the
    same day as the *Recommended Decision*. *See id.* at 8;
    *Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service Seeks Comment on
    Long Term Comprehensive High-Cost Universal Service Reform*, WC
    Docket No. 05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45, Public Notice, 22 FCC Rcd
    9023 (Fed.-State Jt. Bd. 2007) (*Joint Board 2007 Public Notice*).

[^14]: *Recommended Decision*, 22 FCC Rcd at 9003, para. 13.

[^15]: *Id.* at 9002-03, paras. 9-12.

[^16]: *Id.* at 9002, para. 8.

[^17]: *High-Cost Universal Service Support; Federal-State Joint Board
    on Universal Service*, WC Docket No. 05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45,
    Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 22 FCC Rcd 9705 (2007) *(Notice*).

[^18]: *High-Cost Universal Service Support; Federal-State Joint Board
    on Universal Service*, WC Docket No. 05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45,
    Recommended Decision, 22 FCC Rcd 20477 (2007) (*Comprehensive
    Reform* *Recommended Decision*).

[^19]: *High-Cost Universal Service Support; Federal-State Joint Board
    on Universal Service*, WC Docket No. 05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45,
    Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 23 FCC Rcd 1467 (2008) (*Identical
    Support Rule NPRM*); *High-Cost Universal Service Support;
    Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service*, WC Docket No.
    05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 23 FCC
    Rcd 1495 (2008) (*Reverse Auctions NPRM*); *High-Cost Universal
    Service Support; Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service*, WC
    Docket No. 05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45, Notice of Proposed
    Rulemaking, 23 FCC Rcd 1531 (2008) (*Joint Board Comprehensive
    Reform NPRM*) (collectively *Reform Notices*).

[^20]: *High-Cost Universal Service Support; Federal-State Joint Board
    on Universal Service*, CC Docket No. 96-45; WC Docket No. 05-337,
    Order, DA 08-674 (rel. Mar. 24, 2008) (extending comment and reply
    comment dates).

[^21]: The interim cap adopted in this Order supersedes the interim caps
    on high-cost, competitive ETC support adopted in the
    *ALLTEL-Atlantis Order* and the *AT&T-Dobson Order*. *See*
    *Applications of ALLTEL Corporation, Transferor, and Atlantis
    Holdings LLC, Transferee For Consent to Transfer Control of
    Licenses, Leases and Authorizations*, WT Docket No. 07-185,
    Memorandum Opinion and Order, 22 FCC Rcd 19517 (2007)
    (*ALLTEL-Atlantis Order*); *Applications of AT&T Inc. and Dobson
    Communications For Consent to Transfer Control of Licenses and
    Authorizations File Nos. 003092368 et al.*, WT Docket No. 07-153,
    Memorandum Opinion and Order, 22 FCC Rcd 20295 (2007) (*AT&T-Dobson
    Order*).

[^22]: *See* Letter from Tina Pidgeon, Vice President, Federal
    Regulatory Affairs, General Communications Inc. (GCI), to Marlene H.
    Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, WC Docket No.
    05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45, at 2 (filed May 31, 2007) (GCI May 31
    *Ex Parte* Letter).

[^23]: Universal Service Administrative Company, 2007 Annual Report 43
    (2007), *available at*
    http://www.usac.org/\_res/documents/about/pdf/usac-annual-report-2007.pdf
    (*USAC 2007 Annual Report*).

[^24]: *See Universal Service Monitoring Report*, CC Docket No. 98-202,
    Prepared by the Federal and State Staff for the Federal-State Joint
    Board on Universal Service in CC Docket No. 96-45, Table 3.2 (2007)
    (*Universal Service Monitoring Report*).

[^25]: Incumbent LECs received \$3.136 billion in high-cost support in
    2003; \$3.153 billion in 2004; \$3.169 billion in 2005; \$3.116
    billion in 2006; and \$3.108 billion in 2007. *Universal Service
    Monitoring Report*, Table 3.2 (for 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 data);
    *USAC 2007 Annual Report* at 41 (for 2007 data). In 2001, much of
    the growth in high-cost support was attributable to removing
    implicit subsidies from access charges and the inclusion of these
    amounts in explicit universal service mechanisms adopted in the
    *CALLS Order* and the *MAG Plan Order*. *See Access Charge Reform,
    Price Cap Performance Review for Local Exchange Carriers*;
    *Low-Volume Long-Distance Users*; *Federal-State Joint Board on
    Universal Service,* Sixth Report and Order in CC Docket Nos. 96-262
    and 94-1, Report and Order in CC Docket No. 99-249, Eleventh Report
    and Order in CC Docket No. 96-45, 15 FCC Rcd 12962 (2000) (*CALLS
    Order*); *Multi-Association Group (MAG) Plan for Regulation of
    Interstate Services of Non-Price Cap Incumbent Local Exchange
    Carriers and Interexchange Carriers;* *Federal-State Joint Board on
    Universal Service; Access Charge Reform for Incumbent Local Exchange
    Carriers Subject to Rate-of-Return Regulation; Prescribing the
    Authorized Rate of Return From Interstate Services of Local Exchange
    Carriers,* Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed
    Rulemaking in CC Docket No. 00-256, Fifteenth Report and Order in CC
    Docket No. 96-45, and Report and Order in CC Docket Nos. 98-77 and
    98-166, 16 FCC Rcd 19613 (2001) (*MAG Plan Order*), *recon.
    pending*.

[^26]: *Universal Service Monitoring Report*, Table 3.2; USAC 2007
    Annual Report at 45.

[^27]: Support for the fund derives from assessments paid by providers
    of interstate telecommunications services and certain other
    providers of interstate telecommunications. *See* 47 C.F.R. §
    54.706. Fund contributors are permitted to, and almost always do,
    pass those contribution assessments though to their end-user
    customers. *See* 47 C.F.R. § 54.712. Fund assessments paid by
    contributors are determined by applying the quarterly contribution
    factor to the contributors' contribution base revenues. In the
    second quarter of 2007, the contribution factor reached 11.7
    percent, which is the highest level since its inception. *See
    Proposed Second Quarter 2007 Universal Service Contribution Factor*,
    CC Docket No. 96-45, Public Notice, 22 FCC Rcd 5074 (Off. of Man.
    Dir. 2007). The contribution factor has since declined slightly to
    11.3 percent in the second quarter of 2008. *Proposed Second Quarter
    2008 Universal Service Contribution Factor*, CC Docket No. 96-45,
    Public Notice, 23 FCC Rcd 4087 (Off. of Man. Dir. 2008).

[^28]: The interim cap received widespread support from commenters.
    *See* ATA Comments; Alexicon Comments; AT&T Comments; CenturyTel
    Comments; Blackfoot Comments; Comcast Comments; Embarq Comments;
    Fred Williamson & Associates Comments; Frontier Comments; GVNW
    Comments; ITTA Comments; Iowa Telecommunications Ass'n Comments;
    Iowa Utilities Board Comments; Minnesota Independent Coalition
    Comments; Montana Telecommunications Ass'n Comments; NASUCA
    Comments; NECA Comments; NTCA Comments; Nebraska Rural Independent
    Cos and South Dakota Telecommunications Ass'n Comments; New Jersey
    Board of Public Utilities Comments; New York Department of Public
    Service Comments; OPASTCO Comments; Rural Iowa Independent Telephone
    Ass'n Comments; Rural Telecommunications Group Comments; Small
    Company Committee of the Louisiana Telecommunications Ass'n
    Comments; State Independent Telephone Ass'n of Kansas and
    Independent Telecommunications Group; TCA Comments; TDS Comments;
    Telephone Ass'n of Maine Comments; Tennessee Telecommunications
    Ass'n; Texas Statewide Telephone Cooperative, Inc. Comments; Totah
    Communications, Inc. *et al*. Comments; USTelecom Comments; Valley
    Telephone Cooperative Comments; Verizon and Verizon Wireless
    Comments; Western Telecommunications Alliance Comments; Windstream
    Comments; Wisconsin State Telecommunications Ass'n Comments. Other
    commenters, however, opposed the cap. *See* Alltel Comments;
    Centennial Comments; Chinook Wireless Comments; ComspanUSA Comments;
    COMPTEL Comments; CTIA Comments; DialToneServices Comments; Dobson
    Comments; GCI Comments; Kansas State Corporation Comm\'n Comments;
    Rural Cellular Ass\'n and Alliance of Rural CMRS Carriers Comments;
    South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff Comments; SourthernLINC
    Comments; Sprint Nextel Comments; Surewest Comments; US Cellular and
    Rural Cellular Corp. Comments.  In addition many individuals and
    public safety officials filed brief comments or *ex parte* letters,
    both in favor and in opposition to the interim cap. *See, e.g.,*
    Letter from Senator J. Brian Bingman, Oklahoma State Senate, to
    Chairman Martin, Federal Communications Commission, WC Docket No.
    05-337 (filed June 22, 2007) (urging the quick adoption of an
    interim cap); Letter from Lt. S.C. O'Dwyer, Commander of
    Communications, Office of the Sheriff of Effingham County, Georgia,
    to Kevin J. Martin, Chairman, Michael J. Copps, Commissioner,
    Jonathon S. Adelstein, Commissioner, Deborah Taylor Tate,
    Commissioner, and Robert M. McDowell, Commissioner, Federal
    Communications Commission, WC Docket No. 05-337 (filed July 11,
    2007) (opposing the adoption of the interim cap). Appendix A
    contains a list of all commenters in this proceeding.

[^29]: Telecommunications Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-104, 110 Stat. 56
    (1996) (the Act). The 1996 Act amended the Communications Act of
    1934. 47 U.S.C. §§ 151, *et seq*. 47 U.S.C. § 254(b)(5) ("There
    should be specific, predictable and sufficient Federal and State
    mechanisms to preserve and advance universal service."), (e) ("any
    such \[universal service\] support should be predictable and
    sufficient to achieve the purposes of this section").

[^30]: *MAG Plan Order*, 16 FCC Rcd at 19669-70, paras. 131-32; *Rural
    Task Force Order*, 16 FCC Rcd at 11257-58, para. 27; *Federal-State
    Joint Board on Universal Service*, CC Docket No. 96-45, Order on
    Remand, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Memorandum
    Opinion and Order, 18 FCC Rcd 22559, 22581-82, paras. 36-37 (2003),
    *remanded*, *Qwest Corp. v. FCC*, 398 F.3d 1222 (10^th^ Cir. 2005);
    47 U.S.C. § 254(b).

[^31]: *Alenco Communications, Inc. v. FCC*, 201 F.3d 608, 620-21 (5^th^
    Cir. 2000) ("\[t\]he agency's broad discretion to provide sufficient
    universal service funding includes the decision to impose cost
    controls to avoid excessive expenditures that will detract from
    universal service").

[^32]: *See* 47 U.S.C. § 254(b)(5).

[^33]: *See Petition of Qwest Communications International Inc. for
    Forbearance from Enforcement of the Commission's Dominant Carrier
    Rules As They Apply After Section 272 Sunsets*, WC Docket No.
    05-333, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 22 FCC Rcd 5207, 5218, para.
    17 (2007) (stating that a majority of presubscribed interexchange
    customers also subscribe to mobile wireless service);
    *Implementation of Section 6002(b) of the Omnibus Budget
    Reconciliation Act of 1993, Annual Report and Analysis of
    Competitive Market Conditions with Respect to Commercial Mobile
    Services*, WT Docket No. 07-71, Twelfth Report, 23 FCC Rcd 2241,
    2340-41, para. 246 (2008) (citing survey reporting that only
    approximately 11.8 percent of U.S. households relied exclusively on
    wireless phones in 2006) (*2007 Commercial Mobile Services Report*).

[^34]: *See* *Alenco*, 201 F.3d at 619 ("excessive funding may itself
    violate the sufficiency requirements of the Act").

[^35]: *Recommended Decision*, 22 FCC Rcd at 9001, para. 5; *see also
    supra* para. 6.

[^36]: *See* 47 C.F.R. §§ 36.603, 54.801(a). We are unconvinced by
    Alltel's arguments that the existing caps on incumbent LEC support
    also effectively cap competitive ETC support. Alltel Comments at
    10-11. Competitive ETC support has grown rapidly while, during the
    same period, incumbent LEC support has not grown significantly. *See
    supra* para. 6. To the extent there are exceptions to the incumbent
    LEC caps (e.g*.*, an index on high-cost loop support and the
    availability of the safety net additive), these exceptions are
    warranted due to the additional regulatory burdens faced by
    incumbent LECs. Competitive ETCs are able to raise their rates when
    necessary to recover their increased expenses, while many incumbent
    LECs are subject to rate regulation and cannot do so. Furthermore,
    we note that we are adopting a limited exception to the competitive
    ETC cap for carriers that serve tribal lands or Alaska Native
    regions. *See infra* paras. 31-34.

[^37]: Local switching support for incumbent LECs ranged between \$363
    million and \$379 million annually from 2003 through 2007.
    Interstate common line support (including its predecessor, Long Term
    Support) for incumbent LECs ranged between \$877 million and \$985
    million annually from 2003 through 2007. *See* *Universal Service
    Monitoring Report*, Table 3.2 (2007 support based on actual and
    projected data).

[^38]: *See* CTIA Comments at 5-6; Centennial Comments at 4-5.

[^39]: Because competitive ETCs receive the same per-line support as the
    incumbent LEC, any increase in the incumbent LEC's cost per loop,
    whether due to inefficiencies or line loss, could contribute to
    competitive ETC support growth rates. For example, if the underlying
    incumbent LEC per-line (but not total) support increases year over
    year (due to line loss, for example), the competitive ETC will
    receive both more per-line support and more total support, even in a
    service area where a competitive ETC's lines remain constant year
    over year.

[^40]: *See Alenco*, 201 F.3d at 620.

[^41]: CTIA Comments at 21-22.

[^42]: *Id.*

[^43]: CTIA Comments at 22, Dobson Comments at 4-5.

[^44]: *See supra* para. 8 (discussing the *Alenco* court's conclusion
    that the Commission may adopt universal service cost controls).

[^45]: *See Alenco*, 201 F.3d at 619.

[^46]: *See id.* at 620 ("The Act only promises universal service, and
    that is a goal that requires sufficient funding of *customers,* not
    *providers*.").

[^47]: Dobson Comments at 5.

[^48]: *Alenco*, 201 F.3d at 623. Further, we note that Dobson's
    criticism is equally applicable to the cap on high-cost loop
    support, which was affirmed by the court in *Alenco*. *Id.* at 620.

[^49]: CTIA Comments at 19.

[^50]: *Alenco*, 201 F.3d at 615 (citing *Federal-State Joint Board on
    Universal Service*, CC Docket No. 96-45, Report and Order, 12 FCC
    Rcd 8776, 8780-82, paras. 1-4, 8788, para. 20 (1997) (*Universal
    Service First Report and Order*) (stating that the Commission,
    through its work with the Joint Board, "ensure\[s\] that this system
    is sustainable in a competitive marketplace, thus ensuring that
    universal service is available at rates that are 'just, unreasonable
    \[sic\], and affordable' for all Americans")).

[^51]: *See Alenco*, 201 F.3d at 615.

[^52]: Alltel Comments at 15-18.

[^53]: *Id.* at 15.

[^54]: Alltel also relies the court's decision in *TOPUC* to support its
    argument that high-cost support must be portable on a per-line
    basis. *Id.* at 15-16 (citing *Texas Office of Public Utility
    Counsel v. FCC*, 183 F.3d 393, 417-18 (5^th^ Cir. 1999) (*TOPUC*)).
    Alltel, however, only cites *TOPUC*'s requirement that implicit
    subsidies be replaced with explicit universal service subsidies.
    *Id.* That requirement, however, does not require that universal
    service support continue on a per-line basis under the identical
    support rule.

[^55]: CTIA Comments at 20 (quoting *Alenco*, 201 F.3d at 616).

[^56]: The quotation that CTIA relies on specifically cites section
    214(e)(1) of the Act, which requires that all "eligible
    telecommunications carriers . . . shall be eligible to receive
    universal service support." 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(1). *See also infra*
    para. 29.

[^57]: *Alenco*, 201 F.3d at 620.

[^58]: Alltel Comments at 16-17 (citing *Federal-State Joint Board on
    Universal Service*, Ninth Report and Order, 14 FCC Rcd 20432, 20480,
    para. 90 (1999)).

[^59]: *See Universal Service First Report and Order*, 12 FCC Rcd at
    8932, para. 287, 8944, para. 311; *Federal-State Joint Board on
    Universal Service*, Recommended Decision, 12 FCC Rcd 87, 238, para.
    296 (Fed-State Jt. Bd. 1996).

[^60]: SouthernLINC argues that "consumers in rural, insular and
    high-cost areas should also have access to competitive wireless
    services at reasonable rates in order to complement their wireline
    service." SouthernLINC Comments at 7-11. Essentially, SouthernLINC
    is arguing that mobility should be added to the list of supported
    services. We find that issue beyond the scope of the current
    proceeding.

[^61]: *See* Letter from Jeffrey A. Eisenach, Chairman, Criterion
    Economics, LLC, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal
    Communications Commission, CC Docket No. 96-45, WC Docket No.
    05-337, Attach. The Effects of Providing Universal Service Subsidies
    to Wireless Carriers at 16-18, App. B (filed June 13, 2007)
    (Criterion Report) (claiming that, in 2006, 68 percent -- 192 out of
    281 -- of all competitive ETC service areas were wireless service
    areas, and that 94 percent -- \$770.5 million out of \$820.5 million
    -- of all competitive ETC support went to wireless competitive
    ETCs).

[^62]: *See 2007 Commercial Mobile Services Report*, 23 FCC Rcd at
    2340-41, para. 246 (citing survey reporting that only approximately
    11.8 percent of U.S. households relied exclusively on wireless
    phones in 2006). Even the data on which CTIA relies show that less
    than 13 percent of households have replaced wireline with wireless
    service. CTIA Comments at 10.

[^63]: CTIA's reliance on a survey showing that less than 13 percent of
    households have replaced wireline with wireless service fails to
    demonstrate that wireless ETCs are a complete substitute for
    wireline ETCs. *See* CTIA Comments at 10. Nor does CTIA's second
    cited survey -- in which respondents were asked to identify the
    single service, wireline or wireless, that they would retain if they
    could only retain one (a fictitious assumption) -- demonstrate
    complete substitutability. *See id.* at 10-11.

    In 2004, the Joint Board tried to address these developments by
    recommending that support be limited to "a single connection to the
    public telephone network." *2004 Recommended Decision*, 19 FCC Rcd
    at 4282, para. 62. Congress, however, has prohibited the Commission
    from implementing this recommendation. On December 8, 2004, Congress
    passed the 2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which prohibits the
    Commission from utilizing appropriated funds to "modify, amend, or
    change its rules or regulations for Universal Service support
    payments to implement the February 27, 2004 recommendations of the
    Federal**-**State Joint Board on Universal Service regarding single
    connection or primary line restrictions on universal service
    payments." Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, Pub. L. No.
    108-447, § 634, 118 Stat. 2809 (2004) (2005 Consolidated
    Appropriations Act); Science, State, Justice, Commerce and Related
    Agencies Appropriations Act 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-108, § 622, 119
    Stat. 2342 (2005) (extending prohibition until September 30, 2006);
    Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution 2007, Pub. L. No.
    110-5, § 105, 121 Stat. 9 (2007) (extending prohibition until
    September 30, 2007); Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, Pub. L.
    No. 110-161, § 511, 121 Stat. 1998 (2007) (extending prohibition
    until September 30, 2008).

[^64]: Between November 1, 2002, and February 1, 2008, the total number
    of lines served by all ETCs receiving interstate common line support
    or interstate access support, including competitive ETCs and
    incumbent LECs, increased by approximately 35.7 million. Competitive
    ETC line counts, which grew by approximately 31.7 million during
    that period, drove the increase. *See* Universal Service
    Administrative Company, *Federal Universal Service Support
    Mechanisms Fund Size Projections for the Second Quarter 2008*, App.
    HC09, HC12 (filed Feb. 1, 2008); Universal Service Administrative
    Company, *Federal Universal Service Support Mechanisms Fund Size
    Projections for the First Quarter 2003*, App. HC08, HC14 (filed Nov.
    1, 2002).

[^65]: *See Petition of Qwest Communications International Inc. for
    Forbearance from Enforcement of the Commission's Dominant Carrier
    Rules As They Apply After Section 272 Sunsets*, WC Docket No.
    05-333, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 22 FCC Rcd 5207, 5218, para.
    17 (2007) (stating that a majority of presubscribed interexchange
    customers also subscribe to mobile wireless service); *2007
    Commercial Mobile Services Report*, 23 FCC Rcd at 2340-41, para. 246
    (citing survey reporting that approximately 11.8 percent of U.S.
    households relied exclusively on wireless phones in 2006).

[^66]: *See* Congressional Budget Office, *Factors that May Increase
    Future Spending from the Universal Service Fund* at 12 (2006) ("The
    fact that wireless entrants are providing additional telephone
    service rather than replacement service in many cases is part of the
    reason that total spending for support grows when wireless carriers
    enter a market covered by the USF.").

[^67]: *See* 47 U.S.C. § 254(b)(3).

[^68]: *Identical Support Rule NPRM*, 23 FCC Rcd 1467.

[^69]: *Universal Service First Report and Order*, 12 FCC Rcd at
    8801-03, paras. 46-52 (subsequent history omitted) ("\[W\]e define
    this principle, in the context of determining universal service
    support, as: COMPETITIVE NEUTRALITY -- Universal service support
    mechanisms and rules should be competitively neutral. In this
    context, competitive neutrality means that universal service support
    mechanisms and rules neither unfairly advantage nor disadvantage one
    provider over another, and neither unfairly favor nor disfavor one
    technology over another.").

[^70]: *See supra* para. 6.

[^71]: *See* 47 U.S.C. § 254(b)(5), (d). Moreover, as we explain below,
    the statute does not mandate that ETCs receive support, but rather
    that ETCs be eligible to receive support. *See infra* para. 29.

[^72]: Alltel Comments at 7-9; CTIA Comments at 23.

[^73]: The Commission is required by statute to act within a year after
    receiving a recommendation by the Joint Board. 47 U.S.C. §
    254(a)(2); *see also Recommended Decision*, 22 FCC Rcd at 8998,
    para. 1; *Joint Board 2007 Public Notice*, 22 FCC Rcd at 9023, para.
    1.

[^74]: *See, e.g.*, CTIA Comments at 6-9; ComspanUSA Comments at 9-11;
    MidRivers Comments at 7; SouthernLINC Comments at 16-17.

[^75]: *See* GCI May 31 *Ex Parte* Letter at 2.

[^76]: *See NTCA 2007 Broadband/Internet Availability Survey Report*,
    National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, 3 (Sept. 2007)
    (survey of NTCA member companies that serve primarily rural areas
    showed that 99 percent of 2007 respondents offer broadband to some
    parts of their customer base, compared with only 58 percent of
    respondents in 2000).

[^77]: *See Rural Task Force Order*, 16 FCC Rcd at 11321-23, paras.
    199-201.

[^78]: *See supra* note Error: Reference source not found.

[^79]: *See infra* paras. 31-34.

[^80]: In addition to capping competitive ETC support by state, the
    Joint Board considered, but declined to recommend, capping
    competitive ETC support nationwide or by study area. The Joint Board
    felt that a nationwide cap would provide an incentive for states to
    designate additional competitive ETCs to increase their share of
    competitive ETC capped support and would result in competitive ETC
    support shifting to those states that aggressively designate
    competitive ETCs during the period of the interim cap. The Joint
    Board found that capping support at the study area level would
    foreclose the possibility of support for the duration of the cap for
    those study areas that currently have no competitive ETCs and would
    be administratively burdensome. The Joint Board noted that
    establishing the cap by any particular geographic area would not
    change the total amount of competitive ETC support available for all
    competitive ETCs in the nation, but the scope of the geographic
    territory for the cap affects the distribution of capped support and
    the administrative complexity of computing capped support. *See
    Recommended Decision*, 22 FCC Rcd at 9002, para. 9 n. 24. We agree
    with this analysis by the Joint Board.

[^81]: *See* 47 C.F.R. § 54.307.

[^82]: *See, e.g.,* Alltel Comments at 17-18; Rural Cellular Ass'n
    Comments at 27; SC Off. of Reg. Staff Comments at 2.

[^83]: 47 U.S.C. §§ 214(e)(1); 254(e) (emphasis added).

[^84]: 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(1) (emphasis added).

[^85]: 47 U.S.C. § 254(e) (emphasis added).

[^86]: *See Universal Service First Report and Order*, 12 FCC Rcd at
    8853, para. 137 ("Indeed, the language of section 254(e), which
    states that 'only an eligible telecommunications carrier designated
    under section 214(e) shall be *eligible* to receive' universal
    service support, suggests that a carrier is not automatically
    entitled to receive universal service support once designated as
    eligible."); *Alenco*, 201 F.3d at 620 ("The Act only promises
    universal service, and that is a goal that requires sufficient
    funding of *customers*, not *providers*.").

[^87]: *Compare* 47 U.S.C. § 254(e) *with* 47 U.S.C. § 254(h)(1)(A)
    (providing that carriers offering certain services to rural health
    care providers "shall be entitled" to have the difference between
    the rates charged to health care providers and those charged to
    other customers in comparable rural areas treated as an offset to
    any universal service contribution obligation); *see also
    Transbrasil S.A. Linhas Aereas v. Dep't of Transp*., 791 F.2d 202,
    205 (D.C. Cir. 1986) ("\[W\]here different terms are used in a
    single piece of legislation, the Court must presume that Congress
    intended the terms have different meanings.").

[^88]: Some of the Commission's current rules, including sections
    54.307(a) and 54.309(a), provide that ETCs "shall receive" universal
    service support if certain conditions are met. *See, e.g*., 47
    C.F.R. § 54.307(a), 54.309(a). *But see* 47 C.F.R. § 54.201(d) ("A
    common carrier designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier
    . . . shall be *eligible* to receive universal service support in
    accordance with section 254\[.\]") (emphasis added). These rules,
    which were never intended to mandate support to all ETCs, unduly
    narrow the Commission's discretion under the statute, which states
    merely that ETCs "shall be eligible" to receive such support. 47
    U.S.C. § 214(e)(1).

[^89]: *See* TracFone Wireless, Inc. Petition for Forbearance, CC Docket
    No. 96-45 (filed June 8, 2004). Forbearance was granted in 2005.
    *Petition of TracFone Wireless, Inc. for Forbearance from 47 U.S.C.
    § 214(e)(1)(A) and 47 C.F.R. § 54.201(i)*, CC Docket No. 96-45,
    Order, 20 FCC Rcd 15095 (2005)

[^90]: TracFone Wireless, Inc. Petition for Designation as an Eligible
    Telecommunications Carrier in the State of Tennessee, CC Docket No.
    96-45, 3 (filed Nov. 9, 2004) (Tennessee Petition). This petition
    was granted in an order released on April 11, 2008. *Federal-State
    Joint Board on Universal Service*, *TracFone Wireless, Inc. Petition
    for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the
    State of New York* *et al.*, CC Docket No. 96-45, Order, FCC 08-100
    (rel. April 11, 2008) (granting petitions for designation as an
    eligible telecommunication carrier for the purpose of low-income
    universal service support in 11 states and the District of
    Columbia).

[^91]: *See id*. at 15.

[^92]: *See, e.g*., [Kan. Stat. Ann]{.smallcaps}. § 66-2008 (2006)
    (providing for the creation of a Kansas universal service fund
    (KUSF) and requiring that carriers be designated as an ETC pursuant
    to section 214(e)(1) of the Act to receive support from the KUSF).

[^93]: Alaska Telephone Association (ATA) criticized proposals for a
    limited exception to the interim cap largely because ATA opposed the
    continued operation of the identical support rule. ATA Reply
    Comments at 3-4. This issue is better addressed in a rulemaking of
    general applicability.

[^94]: *See ALLTEL-Atlantis Order*, 22 FCC Rcd at 19521, paras 9-10;
    *AT&T-Dobson Order*, 22 FCC Rcd at 20329-30, paras. 70-72.

[^95]: Specifically, Covered Locations are tribal lands or Alaska Native
    regions as those terms are defined in section 54.400(e) of the
    Commission's rules. *See* 47 C.F.R. 54.400(e) (tribal lands or
    Alaska Native regions are "any federally recognized Indian tribe\'s
    reservation, pueblo, or colony, including former reservations in
    Oklahoma, Alaska Native regions established pursuant to the Alaska
    Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688), and Indian
    allotments."); *see also* 47 C.F.R. §§ 54.403(a)(4), 54.409(c)
    (providing for additional Lifeline and Link Up support for eligible
    residents living in tribal lands or Alaska Native regions).

[^96]: *See Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service; Promoting
    Deployment and Subscribership in Unserved and Underserved Areas,
    Including Tribal and Insular Areas*, CC Docket No. 96-45, Twelfth
    Report and Order, Memorandum Report and Order, and Further Notice of
    Proposed Rulemaking, 15 FCC Rcd 12208, 12211-12, para. 2 (2000)
    (concluding that "existing universal service support mechanisms are
    not adequate to sustain telephone subscribership on tribal lands.").

[^97]: 47 C.F.R. § 54.307.

[^98]: For example, if the uncapped per-line support amount in a
    competitive ETC's service area is \$10 per line, but the application
    of the interim cap reduces the per-line support amount to \$8 per
    line, the competitive ETC would receive an additional \$2 for each
    qualifying line in a Covered Location.

[^99]: *See* GCI May 31 *Ex Parte* Letter at 3.

[^100]: In order to qualify for the exception, the competitive ETC must
    certify the number of qualifying lines each time it files line count
    data with the universal service administrator.

[^101]: Competitive ETCs must also comply with the document retention
    requirements for any such documentation. *Comprehensive Review of
    the Universal Service Fund Management, Administration, and
    Oversight*, WC Docket No. 05-195, Report and Order, 22 FCC Rcd
    16372, 16383-84, para. 24. (2007).

[^102]: *See* 47 C.F.R. §§ 54.800-54.808; *see also* Letter from David
    B. Cohen, Vice-President, Policy, USTelecom, to Marlene H. Dortch,
    Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, WC Docket No. 05-337,
    CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed November 21, 2007) (USTelecom IAS
    Letter).

[^103]: *See* USTelecom IAS Letter at 1-2.

[^104]: *See infra* section III.B.3 (Base Period for the Cap).

[^105]: *See* USTelecom IAS Letter at 2.

[^106]: *See infra* section III.B.3 (Base Period for the Cap).

[^107]: Nothing in this order is intended, or shall be construed by
    USAC, to alter the annual IAS targeted cap amount of \$650 million.
    *See* 47 C.F.R. § 54.801(a).

[^108]: Because the limited exception that we adopt herein will trigger
    additional Paperwork Reduction Act requirements, the limited
    exception will not become effective until the relevant reporting and
    recording requirements are approved by the Office of Management and
    Budget.

[^109]: *See infra* note Error: Reference source not found.

[^110]: *See infra* para. 4.

[^111]: *See* Alltel Comments at 21-23.

[^112]: *See* Dobson Comments at 14 ("The Commission should not disturb
    competitive ETCs' expectations by picking a point in the past as the
    base period for the cap."); *see also* Alltel Comments at 20-21;
    CTIA Comments at 28-29.

[^113]: *See* 5 U.S.C. § 604.

[^114]: Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. No. 104-13, 109 Stat.
    163 (1995).

[^115]: Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Pub. L. No.
    107-198, 116 Stat. 729 (2002); 44 U.S.C. § 3506(c)(4).

[^116]: *See* 5 U.S.C. § 801(a)(1)(A).

[^117]: 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(1). A list of the Petitions is set forth in
    Exhibit 1. We note that many of the Petitioners filed amendments
    and/or supplements to their petitions. The term Petitions, as used
    herein, includes any such amendments and supplemental filings.
    Exhibit 1 also provides abbreviations for the entities, petitions,
    amendments, and supplemental filings cited in this Order.

    We note that AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. (AWS) initially filed a
    petition for designation as an ETC in the state of Alabama for
    itself and on behalf of AirCom PCS, Inc., Tritel C/F Holding Corp.,
    Tritel A/B Holding Corp, AT&T Wireless PCS, LLC, and QuinComm, Inc.
    *See generally* AWS Alabama Petition. After its merger with AWS,
    Cingular Wireless LLC filed amendments to the petition to reflect
    the merger, remove all rural study areas, and amend the non-rural
    areas for which it requests designation. *See* Cingular Alabama
    Amendment. Cingular Wireless LLC now wholly owns or controls all of
    the licensees at issue in the instant matter: New Cingular Wireless
    PCS, LLC, Blue Licenses Holding, LLC, and Orange Licenses Holding,
    LLC. *See id.* at 2 and Exhibit D. We refer to Cingular Wireless LLC
    and any of the associated entities holding the licenses at issue
    herein collectively as Cingular. Based on Cingular's
    representations, we evaluate the AWS petition and the Cingular
    amendments as unified pleadings.

    We further note that U.S. Cellular acquired control of Tennessee RSA
    No. 3 Limited Partnership d/b/a Eloqui (Eloqui) after Eloqui filed
    its petition for designation as an ETC in the state of Tennessee.
    *See* U.S. Cellular Tennessee Amended Petition at 2. We evaluate the
    Eloqui Petition and the U.S. Cellular amendments thereto as unified
    pleadings.

[^118]: 47 U.S.C. § 254(e).

[^119]: 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(1); *see also* 47 C.F.R. § 54.201(d).

[^120]: 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(2); *see Promoting Deployment and
    Subscribership in Unserved Areas, Including Tribal and Insular
    Areas*, CC Docket No. 96-45, Twelfth Report and Order, Memorandum
    Opinion and Order, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 15 FCC
    Rcd 12208, 12255, para. 93 (2000) (*Twelfth Report and Order*).

[^121]: 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(6).

[^122]: *Id*.

[^123]: *Id.*

[^124]: *See* *Procedures for FCC Designation of Eligible
    Telecommunications Carriers Pursuant to Section 214(e)(6) of the
    Communications Act*, CC Docket No. 96-45, Public Notice, 12 FCC Rcd
    22947, 22948 (1997) (*Section 214(e)(6) Public Notice*); *see also
    Virginia Cellular, LLC Petition for Designation as an Eligible
    Telecommunications Carrier for the Commonwealth of Virginia,* CC
    Docket No. 96-45, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 19 FCC Rcd 1563,
    1564, 1565, 1575-76, 1584-85, paras. 1, 4, 27, 28, 46 (2004)
    (*Virginia Cellular Order*); *Highland Cellular, Inc. Petition for
    Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier for the
    Commonwealth of Virginia,* CC Docket No. 96-45, Memorandum Opinion
    and Order, 19 FCC Rcd 6422, 6438, paras. 1, 33 (2004) (*Highland
    Cellular Order*)*.*

[^125]: *See Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service*, CC Docket
    No. 96-45, Report and Order, 20 FCC Rcd 6371 (2005) (*ETC
    Designation Order*).

[^126]: *See ETC Designation Order*, 20 FCC Rcd at 6380, para. 20
    (citing *Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service*, CC Docket
    No. 96-45, Recommended Decision, 19 FCC Rcd 4259, 4261, para. 5
    (Fed-State Jt. Bd. 2004)).

[^127]: 47 C.F.R. § 54.202(a).

[^128]: 47 C.F.R. § 54.202(b).

[^129]: 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(6); 47 C.F.R. § 54.202(c); *see also ETC
    Designation Order*, 20 FCC Rcd at 6388-96, paras. 40-57; *Virginia
    Cellular Order*, 19 FCC Rcd at 1575, para. 27; *Highland Cellular
    Order*, 19 FCC Rcd at 6431-32, para. 21. The Commission places the
    burden on the ETC applicant to demonstrate that the public interest
    is served. *ETC Designation Order*, 20 FCC Rcd at 6390, para. 44.

[^130]: *Id.* at 6389-90, paras. 42-43.

[^131]: 47 C.F.R. § 54.202(c).

[^132]: *ETC Designation Order*, 20 FCC Rcd at 6390, para. 43.

[^133]: *Id.* at 6389-90, paras. 42-43. A carrier "creamskims" when it
    serves only the least expensive customers, thereby undermining the
    ability of the incumbent local exchange carrier (LEC) to provide
    service to the entire study area. *See Federal-State Joint Board on
    Universal Service*, Report and Order, CC Docket No. 96-45, 12 FCC
    Rcd 8776, 8881-82, para. 189 (1997) (subsequent history omitted).

[^134]: *ETC Designation Order*, 20 FCC Rcd at 6392-95, paras. 48-53.

[^135]: 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(5).

[^136]: *Id.*

[^137]: 47 C.F.R. § 54.207(d)(1).

[^138]: *Id.*

[^139]: *See Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service*, CC Docket
    No. 96-45, Recommended Decision, 12 FCC Rcd 87, 179-80, paras.
    172-74 (1996) (*1996 Recommended Decision*).

[^140]: 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(6).

[^141]: *Petition of Alltel Communications, Inc. for Designation as
    Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) in Certain Rural Telephone
    Company Study Areas Located Partially in Alltel\'s Licensed Area and
    for Redefinition of those Study Areas*, PSC-07-0288-PAA-TP, Notice
    of Proposed Agency Action Order Finding Authority to Consider
    Applications By CMRS Providers For ETC Designation, 2007 WL 1029436
    (Fla. P.S.C. Apr. 3, 2007). This order was a proposed agency action,
    which was made final by a consummating order on June 7, 2007. *See
    Petition of Alltel Communications, Inc. for Designation as Eligible
    Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) in Certain Rural Telephone Company
    Study Areas Located Partially in Alltel\'s Licensed Area and for
    Redefinition of those Study Areas*, PSC-07-0481A-CO-TP, Amendatory
    Order, 2007 WL 1774614 (Fla. P.S.C. June 7, 2007).

[^142]: *See* Ga. Code Ann. § 46-5-222 (2007); *Application of Alltel
    Communications, Inc. for Designation as an Eligible
    Telecommunications Carrier in the State of Georgia*, 10396-U, Order
    Granting ETC Status, 2007 WL 3119444 (Ga. P.S.C. Oct. 15, 2007).

[^143]: *See* 2007 V.I. Sess. Laws 6977; Letter from Joseph B.
    Boschulte, Chairman, U.S.Virgin Islands Public Services Commission,
    to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC, WC Docket No. 05-337, CC
    Docket No. 96-45 (dated Feb. 11, 2008).

[^144]: *See* 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(2).

[^145]: *See generally* Petitions. The term Petitions shall hereinafter
    be interpreted to exclude the Dismissed Petitions and the term
    Petitioners to exclude Choice and, with respect to its Florida and
    Georgia petitions, SouthernLINC.

[^146]: 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(6).

    We note that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
    (Pennsylvania Commission) filed reply comments opposing NEP's
    petition. *See* *Petitions of NEP Cellcorp, Inc. for Designation as
    an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the Commonwealth of
    Pennsylvania and Corr Wireless Communications, LLC for Designation
    as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of Alabama*,
    CC Docket No. 96-45, Reply Comments of the Pennsylvania Public
    Utilities Commission (filed Sept. 5, 2007). The Pennsylvania
    Commission also, however, stated in a letter to NEP that the
    Pennsylvania Commission did not intend to exercise jurisdiction to
    consider NEP's petition, and that NEP should seek ETC designation at
    the federal level. *See* NEP Petition at Exh. B. We find that NEP
    has provided sufficient evidence to support the conclusion that we
    have jurisdiction to perform NEP's requested ETC designation under
    section 214(e)(6). 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(6). NEP filed a motion to
    strike the Pennsylvania Commission's reply comments from the record.
    *See* NEP Cellcorp, Inc. Application for Designation as an Eligible
    Telecommunications Carrier in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, CC
    Docket No. 96-45, Motion to Strike (filed Oct. 10, 2007). Because we
    grant NEP's petition here, we dismiss NEP's motion as moot.

    The Commission previously has stated that "the Commission's
    authority to perform \[an ETC designation under section 214(e)(6)\]
    is no greater than that of the state that would have otherwise made
    the designation." *Petition for Reconsideration of Western Wireless
    Corporation's Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier
    in the State of Wyoming*, CC Docket No. 96-45, Order on
    Reconsideration, 16 FCC Rcd 19144, 19147, para. 8 (2001) (*Western
    Wireless 2001 Order*), *affirming* *Western Wireless Corporation
    Petition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier
    in the State of Wyoming*, CC Docket No. 96-45, Memorandum Opinion
    and Order, 16 FCC Rcd 48 (Com. Carrier Bur. 2000) (*Western Wireless
    2000 Order*).

    With respect to U.S. Cellular's New Hampshire petition, the
    Commission stands in the place of the New Hampshire Public Utilities
    Commission (New Hampshire Commission). U.S. Cellular requested,
    however, designation for certain wire centers located in Vermont,
    which are served by Verizon New England, a non-rural incumbent LEC,
    and two wire centers located in Maine, which are served by Northland
    Telephone of Maine Inc., a rural incumbent LEC. U.S. Cellular New
    Hampshire Petition, Exhibits B and C. U.S. Cellular has not
    demonstrated that the Maine and Vermont Commissions do not have the
    authority to designate U.S. Cellular as an ETC in their states. As
    the New Hampshire Commission would not have the authority to perform
    an ETC designation for wire centers in Maine or Vermont, we exclude
    from our determination the wire centers of Verizon New England in
    Vermont and Northland Telephone of Maine Inc. in Maine. The Verizon
    New England wire centers in Vermont which we exclude are: Barnet,
    Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Bradford, Fairlee, Newbury, Windsor, and
    White River Junction. The Northland Telephone of Maine Inc. wire
    centers in Maine which we exclude are Fryeburg and North Fryeburg.

[^147]: 47 C.F.R. § 214(e)(1)(A); 47 C.F.R. § 54.201(d)(1); 47 C.F.R. §
    54.101(a) (listing the services supported by the federal universal
    service mechanisms); *see generally* Petitions.

[^148]: 47 C.F.R. § 214(e)(1)(A); 47 C.F.R. § 54.201(d)(1); *see
    generally* Petitions.

[^149]: 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(1)(B); 47 C.F.R. § 54.201(d)(2); *see
    generally* Petitions.

[^150]: 47 C.F.R. §§ 54.405, 54.411.

[^151]: *See supra* para. 5.

[^152]: *ETC Designation Order*, 20 FCC Rcd at 6380, para. 20; 47 C.F.R.
    §§ 54.202(a), 54.209; *see generally* Petitions.

[^153]: For example, Petitioners have committed to comply with the
    Consumer Code for Wireless Service of the Cellular
    Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA). *See generally*
    Petitions.

[^154]: *See generally* Petitions. As noted in the *PSC Alabama Order*,
    the mobility of telecommunications assists consumers in rural areas
    who often must drive significant distances to places of employment,
    stores, schools, and other locations. *Public Service Cellular, Inc.
    Petition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier
    in the States of Georgia and Alabama*, CC Docket No. 96-45, Order,
    20 FCC Rcd 6854, 6861, para. 25 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2005) (*PSC
    Alabama Order*). Moreover, the availability of a wireless universal
    service offering also provides access to emergency services that can
    mitigate the unique risks of geographic isolation associated with
    living in rural communities. *Id.*

[^155]: *See generally* Petitions.

[^156]: *See, e.g*., Dobson First Petition at 17.

[^157]: Although there may be disadvantages to designating Petitioners
    as ETCs, such as dropped calls or poor coverage in certain portions
    of these areas, our concerns about potential disadvantages are
    allayed by Petitioners' commitments to build out their facilities
    and to make service quality improvements. We note that Petitioners
    are required to report on service quality improvements and any
    problems associated with their coverage on October 1^st^ of each
    year. 47 C.F.R. § 54.209. *See also ETC Designation Order*, 20 FCC
    Rcd at 6400-6402, paras. 68-69. We also note that all ETCs must
    report annually on the progress of their five-year network
    improvement plans. *See* 47 C.F.R. § 54.209.

    In addition, some commenters argued that designation of multiple new
    ETCs may undermine the sustainability of the universal service fund
    (Fund). *See, e.g.*, Cingular Wireless Petition for Designation as
    an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the Commonwealth of
    Virginia, CC Docket No. 96-45, Opposition of Verizon, at 4 (filed
    Dec. 4, 2006). The interim cap on high-cost universal service
    support disbursements adopted in this order is sufficient to ensure
    the sustainability of the Fund. Further, the *ETC Designation Order*
    found that any impact on the Fund must be balanced against other
    objectives, such as providing access to services comparable to
    services offered in urban areas and competitive neutrality. *See ETC
    Designation Order*, 20 FCC Rcd at 6395-96, para. 56. We find that
    any impact on the Fund is outweighed by the benefits described
    above.

[^158]: *ETC Designation Order,* 20 FCC Rcd at 6392, para. 49*; Virginia
    Cellular Order*, 19 FCC Rcd at 1578, para. 32; *Highland Cellular
    Order*, 19 FCC Rcd at 6434-35, para. 26. As noted above, the
    creamskimming analysis is limited to designations in rural service
    areas. *See supra* para. 6.

[^159]: *Advantage Cellular Systems Inc. Petition for Designation as an
    Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of Tennessee*, CC
    Docket No. 96-45, Order, 19 FCC Rcd 20994, n.67 (Wireline Comp. Bur.
    2004).

[^160]: Dobson stated "in the event the Commission finds that the
    present disparity in population density between the served and
    unserved wire centers of the study area of Empire Telephone
    Corporation (SAC 150093) (Empire) is large enough to present cream
    skimming concerns, Dobson would withdraw from its proposed
    designated area the East Pembroke wire center (EPMBNYXA) to equalize
    the balance in population density." Dobson Second Amendment at 2.

[^161]: *ETC Designation Order*, 20 FCC Rcd at 6378, para. 15; *Highland
    Cellular Order*, 19 FCC Rcd at 6438, para. 33.

[^162]: We note that NEP sought redefinition of the Frontier study area.
    *See infra* para. 26.

[^163]: *See supra* para. 7.

[^164]: *RCC Holdings, Inc. Petition for Designation as an Eligible
    Telecommunications Carrier Throughout its Licensed Service Area in
    the State of Alabama*, CC Docket No. 96-45, Memorandum Opinion and
    Order, 17 FCC Rcd 23532, 23547, para. 38 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2002).

[^165]: *North Carolina RSA 3 Cellular Telephone Company Petition for
    Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State
    of North Carolina*, CC Docket No. 96-45, Order, 21 FCC Rcd 9151,
    9159, para. 26 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2006).

[^166]: *See supra* para. 20.

[^167]: *See supra* para. 22 (declining to designate NEP in the
    Springville wire center). We note that NEP did not request
    redefinition of the Verizon Pennsylvania study area, and therefore
    decline to designate NEP in the Lake Como wire center. *See infra*
    para. 36.

[^168]: *RCC Minnesota Inc., and RCC Atlantic, Inc. Petition for
    Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in New
    Hampshire*, CC Docket No. 96-45, Order, 20 FCC Rcd 15833, 15841,
    para. 25 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2005) (*RCC Order*).

[^169]: *Highland Cellular Order*, 19 FCC Rcd at 6439, paras. 37-38.

[^170]: *See supra* para. 24.

[^171]: Corr requested designation for one study area, Ardmore Telephone
    Co., which extends beyond the state boundary of Alabama into
    Tennessee. The Commission previously has stated that "the
    Commission's authority to perform \[an ETC designation under section
    214(e)(6)\] is no greater than that of the state that would have
    otherwise made the designation." *Western Wireless 2001 Order,* 16
    FCC Rcd at 19147, para. 8. Corr did not seek ETC designation in
    Tennessee. Therefore, we designate Corr as an ETC only in the
    portion of Ardmore Telephone Co.'s study area that is contained
    within the boundaries of the state of Alabama. *See id. at*
    19147-49, paras. 8-13, *affirming* *Western Wireless 2000 Order*, 16
    FCC Rcd at 57-59, paras. 23-24 (designating Western Wireless as an
    ETC only in the study areas of telephone companies that are located
    in the state (Wyoming) that was the subject of Western Wireless' ETC
    petitions).

[^172]: SouthernLINC requested designation for one wire center, West
    Point, which extends beyond the state boundary of Alabama into
    Georgia. *See* SouthernLINC December 29 Alabama Supplement at Ex. 1.
    As discussed above, the Commission does not have the authority to
    consider the SouthernLINC Georgia Petition. *See infra* para. 9.
    Therefore, we designate SouthernLINC in the West Point wire center
    only to the extent that the wire center is contained within the
    boundaries of the state of Alabama. *See Western Wireless 2001
    Order*, 16 FCC Rcd at 19147-49, paras. 8-13, *affirming* *Western
    Wireless 2000 Order*, 16 FCC Rcd at 57-59, paras. 23-24.

[^173]: As noted above, we exclude the wire centers of the non-rural
    incumbent LEC Verizon New England in Vermont for purposes of U.S.
    Cellular's ETC designation. *See supra* note Error: Reference source
    not found.

[^174]: As noted above, we exclude the wire centers of rural incumbent
    LEC Northland Telephone of Maine Inc. in Maine for purposes of U.S.
    Cellular's ETC designation. *See supra* note Error: Reference source
    not found.

[^175]: *See supra* para. 28.

[^176]: *See* 47 C.F.R. §§ 54.307, 54.313, 54.314; *ETC Designation
    Order*, 20 FCC Rcd at 6411, para. 92.

[^177]: 47 U.S.C. § 254(e); 47 C.F.R. §§ 54.313, 54.314.

[^178]: *See* 47 C.F.R. § 54.209(a) (specifying the information to be
    included in the annual reports submitted by ETCs); *ETC Designation
    Order*, 20 FCC Rcd at 6400-6402, paras. 68-69. *See also* *Virginia
    Cellular Order*, 19 FCC Rcd at 1584, para. 46 & n.140 (anticipating
    that annual submissions will encompass only the ETC's designated
    service areas). We note that SouthernLINC requested that, if the
    Commission were to grant its petition prior to October 1, 2006, it
    be granted a waiver of the October 1, 2006 filing deadline. *See*
    Letter from Todd Daubert, Counsel for SouthernLINC, to Marlene H.
    Dortch, Secretary, FCC, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed Aug. 15, 2006).
    Given the passage of time, we find that SouthernLINC's waiver
    request is moot.

[^179]: *See generally* Petitions. In *TOPUC*, the Fifth Circuit held
    that that nothing in section 214(e)(2) of the Act prohibits states
    from imposing additional eligibility conditions on ETCs as part of
    their designation process. *See Texas Office of Public Utility
    Counsel v. FCC*, 183 F.3d 393, 417-18 (5^th^ Cir. 1999) (*TOPUC*).
    Consistent with this holding, we find that nothing in section
    214(e)(6) prohibits the Commission from imposing additional
    conditions on ETCs when such designations fall under our
    jurisdiction.

[^180]: 47 U.S.C. §§ 220, 403.

[^181]: *See Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, Western
    Wireless Corporation Petition for Preemption of an Order of the
    South Dakota Public Utilities Commission,* CC Docket No. 96-45,
    Declaratory Ruling, 15 FCC Rcd, 15168, 15174, para. 15 (2000)
    (subsequent history omitted). *See also* 47 U.S.C. § 254(e).

[^182]: *See* 47 U.S.C. § 503(b).

[^183]: 21 U.S.C. § 862; 47 C.F.R. § 1.2002(a)-(b). Section 1.2002(b)
    provides that a "party to the application" shall include: "(1) If
    the applicant is an individual, that individual; (2) If the
    applicant is a corporation or unincorporated association, all
    officers, directors, or persons holding 5% or more of the
    outstanding stock or shares (voting and/or nonvoting) of the
    petitioner; and (3) If the application is a partnership, all
    non-limited partners and any limited partners holding a 5% or more
    interest in the partnership." 47 C.F.R. § 1.2002(b). *See* *Section
    214(e)(6) Public Notice,* 12 FCC Rcd at 22949.

[^184]: *See generally* Petitions.

[^185]: 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.2001-1.2003.

[^186]: As discussed above, designated only to the extent that the wire
    center is contained within Alabama.

[^187]: Previously redefined, as discussed above.

[^188]: United Inter-Mountain Telephone's study area has been previously
    redefined, as discussed above.

[^189]: *Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, RCC Minnesota,
    Inc. and RCC Atlantic, Inc. Petition for Designation as an Eligible
    Telecommunications Carrier in the State of New Hampshire*, CC Docket
    No. 96-45, Order, 20 FCC Rcd 15833 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2005) (*RCC
    Order*).

[^190]: *See* RCC Minnesota, Inc. and RCC Atlantic, Inc., Petition for
    Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State
    of New Hampshire, CC Docket No. 96-45, Supplemental Filing, at
    Exhibit C (filed Aug. 26, 2005).

[^191]: *See* Letter from David A. LaFuria and B. Lynn F. Ratnavale,
    Lukas, Nace, Gutierrez, and Sachs, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary,
    FCC, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed Dec. 13, 2005).

[^192]: *See* 5 U.S.C. § 603. The RFA, *see* 5 U.S.C. § 601-12., has
    been amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness
    Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-121, Title II, 110 Stat. 847 (1996).

[^193]: *Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service*, WC Docket No.
    05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 22 FCC
    Rcd 9705, 9737-42 (2007) *(Notice*).

[^194]: *Id*. at 9737.

[^195]: *See* 5 U.S.C. § 604.

[^196]: *Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service*, WC Docket No.
    05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45, Recommended Decision, FCC 07J-1
    (Fed.-State Jt. Bd., rel. May 1, 2007) *(Recommended Decision*)
    (Appendix A).

[^197]: Universal Service Administrative Company 2006 Annual Report, 39
    (2006), available at
    http://www.usac.org/\_res/documents/about/pdf/usac-annual-report-2006.pdf
    (*USAC 2006 Annual Report*).

[^198]: *See Universal Service Monitoring Report*, CC Docket No. 98-202,
    Prepared by the Federal and State Staff for the Federal-State Joint
    Board on Universal Service in CC Docket No. 96-45, Table 3.2 (2006)
    (*Universal Service Monitoring Report*).

[^199]: Incumbent LECs received \$3.129 billion in high-cost support in
    2003; \$3.153 billion in 2004; \$3.186 billion in 2005; and \$3.116
    billion in 2006. *Universal Service Monitoring Report*, at Table 3.2
    (for 2003, 2004, and 2005 data); *USAC 2006 Annual Report* at 41
    (for 2006 data). In 2001, much of the growth in high-cost support
    was attributable to removing implicit subsidies from access charges
    and the inclusion of these amounts in explicit universal service
    mechanisms adopted in the *CALLS Order* and the *MAG Plan Order*.
    *See Access Charge Reform, Price Cap Performance Review for Local
    Exchange Carriers*; *Low-Volume Long-Distance Users*; *Federal-State
    Joint Board on Universal Service,* Sixth Report and Order in CC
    Docket Nos. 96-262 and 94-1, Report and Order in CC Docket No.
    99-249, Eleventh Report and Order in CC Docket No. 96-45, 15 FCC Rcd
    12962 (2000) (*CALLS Order*); *Multi-Association Group (MAG) Plan
    for Regulation of Interstate Services of Non-Price Cap Incumbent
    Local Exchange Carriers and Interexchange Carriers;* *Federal-State
    Joint Board on Universal Service; Access Charge Reform for Incumbent
    Local Exchange Carriers Subject to Rate-of-Return Regulation;
    Prescribing the Authorized Rate of Return From Interstate Services
    of Local Exchange Carriers,* Second Report and Order and Further
    Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in CC Docket No. 00-256, Fifteenth
    Report and Order in CC Docket No. 96-45, and Report and Order in CC
    Docket Nos. 98-77 and 98-166, 16 FCC Rcd 19613 (2001) (*MAG Plan
    Order*), *recon. pending*.

[^200]: *Universal Service Monitoring Report*, at Table 3.2; USAC 2006
    Annual Report at 41.

[^201]: *See* Universal Service Administrative Company, *Universal
    Service Fund Facts -- High Cost Quarterly Program Statistics; High
    Cost Program Support Distribution By CETCs & ILECs 1998 Through
    2Q2007*,
    [http://www.universalservice.org/\_res/documents/about/pdf/fund-facts/HC%20CETC-ILEC%20Distribution.pdf](http://www.universalservice.org/_res/documents/about/pdf/fund-facts/HC CETC-ILEC Distribution.pdf)
    (July 23, 2007).

[^202]: Support for the fund derives from assessments paid by providers
    of interstate telecommunications services and certain other
    providers of interstate telecommunications. *See* 47 C.F.R. §
    54.706. Fund contributors are permitted to, and almost always do,
    pass those contribution assessments though to their end-user
    customers. *See* 47 C.F.R. § 54.712. Fund assessments paid by
    contributors are determined by applying the quarterly contribution
    factor to the contributors' contribution base revenues. In the
    second quarter of 2007, the contribution factor reached 11.7
    percent, which is the highest level since its inception. *See
    Proposed Second Quarter 2007 Universal Service Contribution Factor*,
    CC Docket No. 96-45, Public Notice, 22 FCC Rcd 5074 (Off. of Man.
    Dir. 2007). The contribution factor has since declined slightly to
    11.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007. *Proposed Fourth Quarter
    2007 Universal Service Contribution Factor*, CC Docket No. 96-45,
    Public Notice, DA 07-3928 (Off. of Man. Dir. 2007).

[^203]: 5 U.S.C. § 604(a)(3).

[^204]: 5 U.S.C. § 601(6).

[^205]: 5 U.S.C. § 601(3).

[^206]: 5 U.S.C. § 601(4).

[^207]: 5 U.S.C. § 601(5).

[^208]: 5 U.S.C. § 601(3) (incorporating by reference the definition of
    "small business concern" in 5 U.S.C. § 632). Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. §
    601(3), the statutory definition of a small business applies "unless
    an agency after consultation with the Office of Advocacy of the
    Small Business Administration and after opportunity for public
    comment, establishes one or more definitions of such term which are
    appropriate to the activities of the agency and publishes such
    definition in the Federal Register." 5 U.S.C. § 601(3).

[^209]: 15 U.S.C. § 632.

[^210]: *See* SBA, Programs and Services, SBA Pamphlet No. CO-0028, at
    40 (July 2002).

[^211]: 5 U.S.C. § 601(4).

[^212]: Independent Sector, The New Nonprofit Almanac & Desk Reference
    (2002).

[^213]: FCC, Wireline Competition Bureau, Industry Analysis and
    Technology Division, Trends in Telephone Service, Table 5.3, page
    5-5 (February 2007) (*Trends in Telephone Service*). This source
    uses data collected as of October 20, 2005.

[^214]: 13 C.F.R. § 121.201, North American Industry Classification
    System (NAICS) code 517110.

[^215]: *Id.* § 121.201, NAICS code 517211 (This category will be
    changed for purposes of the 2007 Census to "Wireless
    Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)," NAICS code
    517210.).

[^216]: *Id*. § 121.201, NAICS code 517212 (This category will be
    changed for purposes of the 2007 Census to "Wireless
    Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)," NAICS code
    517210.).

[^217]: 15 U.S.C. § 632.

[^218]: *See* Letter from Jere W. Glover, Chief Counsel for Advocacy,
    SBA, to Chairman William E. Kennard, Federal Communications
    Commission (May 27, 1999). The Small Business Act contains a
    definition of "small business concern," which the RFA incorporates
    into its own definition of "small business." *See* 15 U.S.C. §
    632(a) (Small Business Act); 5 U.S.C. § 601(3) (RFA). SBA
    regulations interpret "small business concern" to include the
    concept of dominance on a national basis. 13 C.F.R. § 121.102(b).

[^219]: 13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517110.

[^220]: *Trends in Telephone Service* at Table 5.3.

[^221]: 13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517210.

[^222]: *Trends in Telephone Service* at Table 5.3.

[^223]: *Id.*

[^224]: 13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS Code 517210.

[^225]: U.S. Census Bureau, 2002 Economic Census, Subject Series:
    "Information," Table 5, Employment Size of Firms for the United
    States: 2002, NAICS code 517211 (issued Nov. 2005).

[^226]: *Id.* The census data do not provide a more precise estimate of
    the number of firms that have employment of 1,500 or fewer
    employees; the largest category provided is for firms with "1000
    employees or more."

[^227]: U.S. Census Bureau, 2002 Economic Census, Subject Series:
    "Information," Table 5, Employment Size of Firms for the United
    States: 2002, NAICS code 517212 (issued Nov. 2005).

[^228]: *Id.* The census data do not provide a more precise estimate of
    the number of firms that have employment of 1,500 or fewer
    employees; the largest category provided is for firms with "1000
    employees or more."

[^229]: 13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS Code 517110.

[^230]: *Trends in Telephone Service* at Table 5.3.

[^231]: U.S. Census Bureau, 2002 NAICS Definitions, "517410 Satellite
    Telecommunications";
    http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics02/def/NDEF517.HTM.

[^232]: 13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS codes 517410.

[^233]: U.S. Census Bureau, 2002 Economic Census, Subject Series:
    Information, "Establishment and Firm Size (Including Legal Form of
    Organization)," Table 4, NAICS code 517410 (issued Nov. 2005).

[^234]: *Id*. An additional 38 firms had annual receipts of \$25 million
    or more.

[^235]: U.S. Census Bureau, 2002 NAICS Definitions, "517910 Other
    Telecommunications";
    http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics02/def/NDEF517.HTM.

[^236]: The SBA size standard for "All Other Telecommunications is
    \$23.0 million or less in average annual revenues. *See* 13 C.F.R. §
    121.201, NAICS Code 517919.

[^237]: U.S. Census Bureau, 2002 Economic Census, Subject Series:
    Information, "Establishment and Firm Size (Including Legal Form of
    Organization)," Table 4, NAICS code 517910 (issued Nov. 2005).

[^238]: *Id*. An additional 14 firms had annual receipts of \$25 million
    or more.

[^239]: *See* 5 U.S.C. § 603(c).

[^240]: *See* 5 U.S.C*.* § 801(a)(1)(A).

[^241]: *See* 5 U.S.C. § 604(b).