November 10, 2005

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today amended one license and granted two temporary licenses to provide basic local exchange service.

In Case No. U-14639, Airdis Telecom was granted a temporary license to provide basic local exchange service in the exchanges currently served by SBC Michigan, Verizon North Inc., Verizon North Systems, CenturyTel of Michigan, Inc., CenturyTel Midwest‑Michigan, Inc., CenturyTel of Northern Michigan, Inc., and CenturyTel of Upper Michigan, Inc.

The company, headquartered in Illinois, applied for a license on Sept. 27.  It also requested a temporary license.

In Case No. U-14643, T2 Communications, L.L.C was granted a temporary expansion of its license to provide basic local exchange service in the exchanges currently served by Verizon North Inc. and Verizon North Systems. 

The company, headquartered in Holland, Mich., applied to expand its license on Sept. 27.  It also requested a temporary license expansion.

In Case No. U-14646, Comtel Telcom Assets LP was granted a temporary license to provide basic local exchange service in the exchanges currently served by SBC Michigan, Verizon North Inc. and Verizon North Systems.

The company, headquartered in Boston, applied for a license on Sept. 27.  It also requested a temporary license.

The Commission approved the licenses because it determined that the companies possess sufficient technical, financial and managerial resources and abilities to provide basic local telephone service within the geographic area of the licenses.  The

Commission concluded that competition for telephone service is advantageous to Michigan residents.  By granting these requests for licenses, opportunities for competition may expand.

The Commission conditioned the licenses 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 licenses upon the companies providing service to customers within a reasonable time, indicating that a failure to comply may result in revocation of their license or other penalties.  Further, the Commission noted that any numbers obtained by the companies are a public resource and are not owned by the companies.  Therefore, if the companies fail 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 Nos. U-14639, U-14643 and U-14646