> **DA 06-1185**
>
> **Released: June 1, 2006**
>
> **WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU GRANTS CONSENT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF
> ASSETS OF UNITED TELEPHONE COMPANY OF KANSAS AND UNITED TELEPHONE
> COMPANY OF EASTERN KANSAS BY RURAL TELEPHONE SERVICE COMPANY, INC.**
>
> **WC Docket No. 06-80**

Pursuant to section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
47 U.S.C. § 214, and sections 0.91, 0.291, and 63.03 of the Commission's
rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.91, 0.291, and 63.03, the Wireline Competition
Bureau (Bureau) approves the application for the sale of the Burr Oak,
Courtland, Esbon, Ionia, Lebanon, Republic, and Webber exchanges from
United Telephone Company of Eastern Kansas, and the Downs, Luray,
Osborne, Paradise, and Russell exchanges in Kansas ("United Exchanges")
from United Telephone Company of Kansas to RuralTel.[^1] No comments
were filed in opposition to grant of this transaction.

The Bureau finds, upon consideration of the record, that the proposed
transfer will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity, and
therefore grants the requested authorization.[^2] Pursuant to section
1.103 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.103, the consent granted
herein is effective upon the release of the Public Notice.[^3] Petitions
for reconsideration under section 1.106 or applications for review under
section 1.115 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.106, 1.115, may
be filed within 30 days of the date of this Public Notice.

For further information, please contact Dennis Johnson at (202) 418-0809
in the Competition Policy, Wireline Competition Bureau.

> \- **FCC** -

[^1]: *See* *Domestic Section 214 Application Filed for the Acquisition
    of Assets of United Telephone Company of Kansas and United Telephone
    Company of Eastern Kansas by Rural Telephone Service Company, Inc.,
    Rural Telephone Service Company, Inc., Nex-Tech, Inc.,* WC Docket
    No. 06-80, *United Telephone Company of Kansas, and United Telephone
    Company of Eastern Kansas Seek Waiver of the Study Area Waiver of
    the Study Area Boundary Freeze as Codified in Part 36, and Rural
    Telephone Service Company, Inc. Seeks Waiver of Part 69.3(e)(11) of
    the Commission's Rules,* CC Docket No. 96-45, Public Notice, DA
    06-941 (rel. Apr., 2006).

[^2]: *See Joint Applications of Global Crossing Ltd., and Citizens
    Communications Company for Authority to Transfer Control of
    Corporations Holding Commission Licenses and Authorizations Pursuant
    to Sections 214 and 310(d) of the Communications Act and Parts 20,
    22, 63, 78, 90, and 101 of the Commission's Rules*, Memorandum
    Opinion and Order, 16 FCC Rcd 8507, 8511-14 (CCB/IB/CSB/WTB 2001)
    (granting transfer of control involving incumbent LECs with adjacent
    exchanges where merger would provide service efficiencies); *Joint
    Applications of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Chorus
    Communications, Ltd. For Authority to Transfer Control of Commission
    Licenses and Authorizations Pursuant to Sections 214 and 310(d) of
    the Communications Act and Parts 22, 63 and 90 of the Commission's
    Rules*, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 16 FCC Rcd 15293, 15296-99
    (CCB/WTB 2001) (authorizing transfer of control involving an
    incumbent LEC and in-region provider of local exchange and exchange
    access services where transaction overall resulted in
    pro-competitive benefits).

[^3]: Action on this domestic section 214 application is without
    prejudice to any action the Commission may take on the pending
    waiver requests that were filed along with this application.