December 22, 2005

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today approved an amended license for T2 Communications, L.L.C. to provide basic local exchange service.

The company, headquartered in Holland, Mich., was originally granted a license to provide basic local exchange service on July 8, 2003.  On Sept. 27, it filed an application to expand its license to include all zones and exchanges served by Verizon North Inc., Verizon North Systems and AT&T Michigan (formerly SBC Michigan).  It was granted a temporary license expansion on Nov. 10, 2005.

The Commission approved the license because it determined that the company possesses sufficient technical, financial and managerial resources and abilities to provide basic local telephone service within the geographic area of the license.  The Commission concluded that competition for telephone service is advantageous to Michigan residents.  By granting this request for a license, opportunities for competition may expand.

The Commission conditioned the license on compliance with the Commission’s anti-slamming procedures, the number portability provisions of the Michigan Telecommunications Act, and the Commission’s number reclamation process.  The Commission also conditioned the license upon the company providing service to customers within a reasonable time, indicating that a failure to comply may result in revocation of the license or other penalties.  Further, the Commission noted that any numbers obtained by the company are a public resource and are not owned by the company.  Therefore, if the company fails to provide service or go out of business, any numbers assigned are subject to reclamation.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Labor & Economic Growth.

Case No. U-14643