The purpose of obtaining the Loan Agreement is to enable Freedom Ring to acquire equipment, technology and other assets to provide Freedom Ring the opportunity to enter the New Hampshire telecommunications market to begin providing telecommunications services to customers. Without any further interaction with the Commission, Freedom Ring may commence operation. Therefore, Freedom Ring is a public utility, whether or not it is presently operating. In the instant case, we have treated Freedom Ring's letter of notification as a petition for approval and opened this docket to consider the petition.
Staff recommends granting the petition, based on review of the information presented.
We find that the proposed transaction is consistent with the public good and will therefore approve it. By order of the Public Utilities Commission of New Hampshire this nineteenth day of May, 1998.