Opinion ID: 1296805
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: psc findings

Text: In November 2000, the PSC granted Western Wireless' application for ETC designation. In its order, the PSC stated that it must be shown by clear and convincing evidence that designation of a second ETC in a rural area is in the public interest. The PSC found that the purpose of the public interest requirement of 47 U.S.C. § 214(e) was not to protect rural telecommunications companies from competition but to ensure that rural areas receive the same benefits as urban areas. The PSC determined that the public interest requirement is centered on a threshold issue of whether a proposed application has defined its service area reasonably enough to prevent `cherry picking' of desirable customers by incoming ETC's. The PSC determined that the designated service area was large enough to prevent cherry-picking. The PSC then determined that Western Wireless also offered additional benefits to the public interest such as an expanded calling area and mobility. The PSC found the report written by Macke to be unpersuasive. The PSC found that the report suggested that it should consider the ability of Western Wireless to provide high quality voice, video, and data services as part of the public interest test and suggested that comparisons of capability should be made with existing rural telecommunications providers. The PSC found that there was no basis in law for these suggestions. The PSC also made note of an admission in the report that Macke lacked the expertise to evaluate the capabilities of wireless technology. The PSC determined that Western Wireless had provided sufficient and credible evidence that it was willing and capable to provide the services required by federal law. The PSC determined that federal law did not require that the services should already be offered and was more concerned with whether the carrier was willing to provide them. Because the PSC determined that Western Wireless was willing to offer the required services and that designation of Western Wireless as an ETC was in the public interest, it granted the application. The appellants moved for reconsideration. In their motion, the appellants stated that in a posthearing brief, they (1) suggested that adopting standards to define the `public interest' might require a rulemaking prior to proceeding with the Application; (2) alleged that the PSC had inappropriately adopted a new public interest standard; (3) alleged that rulemaking was required; (4) alleged that they were denied due process; and (5) alleged that the PSC applied the wrong criteria to determine the definition of public interest. After a hearing, the motion for reconsideration was denied. The appellants filed a notice of appeal on March 19, 2001. On March 29, the PSC certified to the FCC that Western Wireless had been designated as an ETC. The PSC informed the FCC that a notice of appeal had been filed and that the appellants were contending that the notice of appeal held the order granting ETC status in abeyance under Nebraska law. The PSC informed the FCC that oral arguments would be held regarding the effect of the notice of appeal and that the PSC would inform the FCC of any additional findings on the subject. The PSC informed the FCC that if the designation as an ETC was not modified or held in abeyance by the Nebraska courts, that Western Wireless would be eligible to receive federal universal service funding. On April 12, 2001, the appellants filed a motion for emergency relief and to compel compliance with § 75-134(3), arguing that under § 75-134, the order of the PSC was held in abeyance while the appeal was pending. The appellants requested that this court order the PSC and Western Wireless to honor the stay imposed by § 75-134. Western Wireless responded that the PSC stated in its order that the order constituted a certificate of ETC designation and that § 75-134 does not hold in abeyance an order authorizing the issuance of a certificate. This court overruled the motion.