December 20, 2005

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

In Case No. U-14475, Phone Express Michigan Inc. was granted a license to provide basic local exchange service in the exchanges currently served by AT&T Michigan (formerly SBC Michigan), Verizon North Inc. and Verizon North Systems.

The company, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, applied for a license on Aug. 15.  The MPSC granted the company a temporary license on Oct. 18.

In Case No. U-14634, Vilaire Communications was granted a license to provide basic local exchange service in the areas currently served by AT&T Michigan, Verizon North Inc. and Verizon North Systems.

The company, headquartered in Lakewood, Wash., applied for a license on September 14.  The MPSC granted the company a temporary license on Oct. 18.

In Case No. U-14639, Airdis Telecom was granted a license to provide basic local exchange service in the exchanges currently served by AT&T 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 Lombard, Ill., applied for a license on Sept. 22.  The MPSC granted the company a temporary license on Nov. 10. 

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

The company, headquartered in Boston, applied for a license on September 27.  The MPSC granted the company a temporary license on Nov. 10.

In Case No. U-14653 Pac-West Telecomm, Inc. was granted a license to provide basic local exchange service in the exchanges served by AT&T Michigan, Verizon North Inc. and Verizon North Systems.

The company, headquartered in Stockton, Calif., applied for a license on Oct. 6.

In Case No. U-14675, Quality Telephone Inc. was granted a temporary license to provide basic local exchange service in the exchanges served by AT&T 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 Dallas, Texas, applied for a license on Oct. 28.  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.