00175596.PDF

LETTER submitted by Farmers Telecommunications Corporation

63.19(a)(2) Notification of Farmers Telecom Corp

2016-11-01

This document pretains to ITC-214-19990824-00529 for International Global Resale Authority on a International Telecommunications filing.

IBFS_ITC2141999082400529_1157491

_ WILKERSON + BRYAN WILKERSON & BRYAN, P.C. ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS 405 SOUTH HULL STREET MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 TEL: 334—265—1500 MAILING ADDRESS POST OFFICE BOX 830 MARK D. WILKERSON mark@wilkersonbryan.com 36101—0830 FAX: 334.265.0319 November 1, 2016 Via International Bureau Filing System Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary Office of the Secretary Federal Communications Commission 445 12"" Street, S.W., Room TW—A325 Washington, DC 20554 Re: Section 63.19(a)(2) Notification of Farmers Telecommunications Corporation Dear Ms. Dortch: Farmers Telecommunications Corporation ("FTC") (FRN 0004074779) hereby notifies the Commission, pursuant to Section 63.19(a)(2) of the Commission‘s Rules (47 C.F.R. § 63.19(a)(2)), of the planned discontinuance of certain voice services in portions of Jackson and Marshall counties in northeastern Alabama. FTC currently provides international service pursuant to the Section 214 authority granted to Farmers Long Distance, Inc., in File No. ITC— 214—19990824—00529. By correspondence dated April 25, 2016, Farmers Long Distance, Inc. notified the International Bureau that it had changed its name to Farmers Telecommunications Corporation. FTC seeks to discontinue its provision ofthe affected services in certain portions of Jackson and Marshall counties in Alabama on or about January 31, 2017. FTC sent the enclosed notice of the planned discontinuance to affected customers on June 22, 2016.‘ Also enclosed is a copy of the Section 63.71 Application of FTC to discontinue domestic service that was simultaneously filed with the Commission on November 1, 2016, via the Commission‘s Electronic Comment Filing System. * The attached notice is stated to be a "Revised Notice of Discontinuation of Service." On June 3, 2016, FTC filed an application pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 63.71, seeking approval of the planned discontinuance of service, effective August 31, 2016 (ECFS INBOX—1.41, File No. 00169934, Confirmation No. 201663471940), and simultaneously notified the International Bureau of its planned discontinuance of service pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 63.19(a)(2) (IB File No. ITC—214—19990824—00529, Confirmation No. 1B2016001232). The applications included a copy of the "Official Notice of Discontinuation of Service" dated June 3, 2016, which was provided to the NAEC customers. As a result of an interim service agreement reached between the parties, FTC notified the FCC of the withdrawal of its applications on June 22, 2016, stating that it would continue to provide service to the NAEC customers until January 31, 2017, and that it would refile the applications with the Commission for approval to discontinue service in advance of the January 31, 2017 effective date. FTC issued the Revised Notice of Discontinuation of Service to NAEC customers at that time.

Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary November 1, 2016 Page T‘wo Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this matter. Very truly yours, /)/(&AL Dt (UWirill_z Mark D. Wilkerson Enclosure co: J. Frederick Johnson, President

BEFORE THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of Section 63.71 Application of Farmers Telecommunications Corporation for Authority Pursuant to Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, to Discontinue Provision of Service SECTION 63.71 APPLICATION OF FARMERS TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION Farmers Telecommunications Corporation ("FTC"), a competitive local exchange carrier, hereby applies for authority pursuant to Section 214(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 214(a), and Section 63.71 of the Federal Communications Commission‘s ("FCC") rules, 47 C.F.R. § 63.71, to discontinue the provision of voice, video and data services, including local and interexchange (national and international long distance) telephone services, to members of the North Alabama Electric Cooperative ("NAEC") in certain portions of Jackson and Marshall counties in Alabama, effective January 31, 2017. Pursuant to a Facilities and Services Agreement (the "Agreement") entered into by FTC and NAEC, effective August 1, 2013, FTC agreed to prdvide the above—described telecommunications services to NAEC‘s members by interconnecting with an optical fiber access network constructed by NAEC through a Broadband Initiatives Program ("BIP") Grant awarded to NAEC by the USDA Rural Utilities Service. The parties determined not to renew their Agreement, based on NAEC‘s representations that it has made arrangements with another telecommunications provider who will offer telecommunication services to NAEC‘s membership; however, pursuant to an interim service agreement with NAEC, FTC has continued to provide telecommunications services to the NAEC customers in order to allow them sufficient time to

transition to a new provider. FTC will discontinue providing telecommunications services to NAEC‘s members on or about January 31, 2017, or as soon thereafter as the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained. FTC will not transfer its customer base to any other telecommunications provider as a part of this plan — it will simply discontinue providing existing service to NAEC members, subject to advance notice and an opportunity for such subscribers to obtain services elsewhere. As required by 47 C.F.R. § 63.71(a) and (b), FTC provides the following information: Name and Address of Carrier (47 C.F.R. §§ 63.71(a)(1), (b)(@2)): Farmers Telecommunications Corporation 144 McCurdy Avenue North P.O. Box 217 Rainsville, Alabama 35986 Date of Planned Service Discontinuance (47 C.F.R. §§ 63.71(a)(1), (b)(2)): | Contingent on FCC approval therefor, FTC will cease providing all voice, video and data services, including local and interexchange (national and international long distance) telephone services, to NAEC‘s members, who are located in Jackson and Marshall counties, Alabama, effective January 31, 2017; however, NAEC members may begin transitioning to another telecommunications carrier before that date. FTC will cease providing services to any NAEC member who requests cessation of service prior to the discontinuance date of January 31, 2017, as requested by the customer. Points of Geographic Areas of Service Affected (47 C.F.R. §§ 63.71(a)(3), (b)(2)): FTC seeks authority to discontinue services to NAEC members residing in Jackson and Marshall counties in northeastern Alabama.

Brief Description of Type of Service Affected (47 C.F.R. §§ 63.71(a)(3), (b)(2)): The services being discontinued to NAEC members consist of the following individual services and packages: Unlimited Countywide and Nationwide Calling, including local and long distance service to all fifty states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands, and calling features; High Speed Internet, download/upload of up to 20 Mbps or 50 Mbps; and Digital Television Service, consisting of expanded basic digital television, high definition access and premium network channels. Brief Description of the Dates and Methods of Notice to All Affected Customers (47 C.F.R. § 63.71(b)(3)): On June 22, 2016, FTC sent affected NAEC customers written notice of the planned discontinuance by First Class U.S. Mail in accordance with 47 C.F.R. § 63.71(a). A cépy of the notification sent to the affected subscribers is attached to this Application as Exhibit "A."! Copies of this Application are being sent via First Class U.S. Mail to the Alabama Public Service Commission, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, and the Special Assistant for Telecommunications under the Secretary of Defense, as required by 47 C.F.R. § 63.71(a). In addition, a separate notice of this discontinuance is being filed with the International Bureau pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 63.19. ‘ The attached notice is stated to be a "Revised Notice of Discontinuation of Service." On June 3, 2016, FTC filed an application pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 63.71, seeking approval of the planned discontinuance of service, effective August 31, 2016 (ECFS INBOX—1.41, File No. 00169934, Confirmation No. 201663471940), and simultaneously notified the International Bureau of its planned discontinuance of service pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 63.19(a)(2) (IB File No. ITC— 214—19990824—00529, Confirmation No. IB2016001232). The applications included a copy of the "Official Notice of Discontinuation of Service" dated June 3, 2016, which was provided to the NAEC customers. As a result of an interim service agreement reached between the parties, FTC notified the FCC of the withdrawal ofits applications on June 22, 2016, stating that it would refile the applications with the Commission for approval to discontinue service in advance of the January 31, 2017 effective date. FTC issued the Revised Notice of Discontinuation of Service to NAEC customers at that time.

Regulatory Classification of Carrier (47 C.F.R. § 63.71(b)(4)): FTC is considered non—dominant with respect to the domestic services to be discontinued. Questions about this Application may be addressed to FTC‘s Counsel, Mark D. Wilkerson, Esq., Wilkerson & Bryan, P.C., 405 South Hull Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104, (334) 265—1500, | or mark@wilkersonbryan.com. Conclusion: The public convenience and necessity will not be adversely affected by the discontinuance of the services described herein to NAEC‘s members. Advance notice has been provided to all affected customers, giving them ample time to arrange substitute services, which are readily available. Alternative service arrangements include, but are not limited to, service obtained through the arrangement NAEC represents it has in place with Crosstel, Inc. (Cross Communications), a telecommunications provider located in West Point, Georgia, effective January 31, 2017, and FTC‘s interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, which is being offered to NAEC‘s members. FTC therefore réspectfully requests that the Commission approve this Section 63.71 Application. Respectfully submitted, J. Frederick Johnson President Farmers Telecommunications Corporation 144 McCurdy Ave. North

P.O. Box 217 Rainsville, Alabama 35986 (256) 638—2144 ext. 301 fjohnson@staff.farmerstel.com November 1, 2016 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, Mark D. Wilkerson, certify that I have, on this 1st day ofNovember, 2016, served copies of the foregoing Section 63.71 Application of Farmers Telecommunications Corporation by U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, to the following: The Honorable Robert J. Bentley, Governor State of Alabama State Capitol 600 Dexter Avenue Montgomery, AL 36130 Walter L. Thomas, Jr., Secretary Alabama Public Service Commission RSA Union Building 100 North Union Street Montgomery, AL 36104 Secretary of Defense Attn: Special Assistant for Telecommunications Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20301 /Ma,\L B U)J{/u\_ D. WILKERSON Couns 1 for Farmers Telecommunications Corporation

&FTC We Keep You Connected p.O, Box 217, Rainsville, AL 35986 + 256—638—2144 + 866—638—2144 June 22, 2016 REVISED NOTICE OF DISCONTINUATION OF SERVICE from Farmers Telecommunications Corporation About Your Voice, Video and Data Services Pending applicable regulatory approvals, effective at 11:59 PM Central Time on January 31, 2017, Farmers Telecommunications Corporation (FTC) will cease providing existing voice, video and data services, including local and interexchange (national and international long distance) telephone services, to North Alabama Electric Cooperative (NAEC) members in Jackson and Marshall counties in Alabama. If you have received this notice, you are among the customers for whom FTC will no longer be providing such voice, video or data services. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will normally authorize this proposed discontinuance of service (or reduction or impairment) unless it is shown that customers would be unable to receive service or a reasonable substitute from another carrier, or that the public convenience and necessity is otherwise adversely affected. If you wish to object, you should file your comments as soon as possible, but no later than 15 days after the Commission releases public notice of the proposed discontinuance. You may file your comments electronically through the FCC‘s Electronic Comment Filing System using the docket number established in the Commission‘s public notice for this proceeding, or you may address them to the Federal Communications Commission, Wireline Competition Bureau, Competition Policy Division, Washington, DC 20554, and include in your comments a reference to the §63.71 Application of Farmers Telecommunications Corporation. Comments should include specific information about the impact of this proposed discontinuance (or reduction or impairment) upon you or your company, including any inability to acquire reasonable substitute service. On or after January 31, 2017, subject to approval from the FCC, your existing service from FTC will be discontinued. NAEC customers who wish to continue receiving these services have the following options: 1) You may contact other telecommunications providers about options for receiving voice, video and/or data services from those providers. 2) Residential NAEC customers may contact FTC Customer Service at the numbers below about converting the switched voice services they are currently receiving from FTC to FTC‘s interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service. The conversion requires you to obtain broadband Internet service from another provider. You may then receive an FTC bundle including unlimited nationwide calling with calling features for $30 per month. FTC is thankful for the opportunity to have served NAEC‘s members over the past two years. Our customer service representatives are available to answer any questions you may have regarding this notice. As always, for any customer service and/or billing issues or complaints, you may reach our customer service representatives at 256—638—2144, or toll—free at 866—638—2144. This notice replaces the notice you received earlier indicating that services would be discontinued on August 31, 2016. NAEC asked us to continue providing service until January 31, 2017, and we have agreed to do so. Sincerely, J. F. Johnson, President Farmers Telecommunications Corporation


Document Created: 2016-11-01 13:53:46
Document Modified: 2016-11-01 13:53:46
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