WASHINGTON-Slowly, but surely, the picture is getting brighter for wireless carriers that wish to obtain federal universal service support subsidies as two states recently joined the list of those that have granted wireless carriers eligible telecommunications carrier status.
Kansas gave ETC status to Sprint PCS and Western Wireless Corp. to obtain federal universal service support in areas of the state served by large telephone companies-areas known as non-rural. Kansas denied requests for ETC designation for rural parts of the state and access to state universal service support.
Washington granted United States Cellular Corp. ETC status for areas served by both rural and non-rural carriers.
In both states, wireline carriers opposed the wireless carrier ETC designation.
Kansas and Washington join four other states and Puerto Rico that have granted ETC status to wireless carriers in at least part of the state.
Wyoming said it did not have jurisdiction to rule on the issue because wireless service is not regulated by the state. There is legislation currently pending before the state legislature that would let the Wyoming Public Service Commission at least examine the issue of ETC status for wireless carriers.
The quest for ETC status has been long and hard with ETC designation proving to be elusive to some wireless carriers-most notably Western Wireless-that have sought the designation.
Western has led the charge in urging the Federal Communications Commission to overrule states that have turned down its requests for ETC status. Western applied for ETC status in 13 states, but withdrew its application for Montana.
