A brief update on an online Minnesota broadband saga.
The Minnesota PUC decided to continue to move forward looking at revoking LTD Broadband’s ETC designation. (Background: LTD was awarded an opportunity to apply for$311 million in federal RDOF funding. They needed the ETC designation from the MN PUC to qualify; industry folks asked the MN PUC to rethink their designation because there were concerns about LTD being able to fulfill the contract. Last month, their application for RDOF was rejected.)
In early September, the PUC asked LTD to share their long form RDOF application. They also invited folks to send comments (by Sep 16) in advance of a prehearing conference call planned for Sep 20.
The Institute for Local Self Reliance responded as a proposed intervenor…
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The applicant, Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) is a research and advocacy nonprofit organization with offices in Minnesota, focused on building an American economy driven by local priorities. ILSR works with a diverse group of allies, partners, and local communities on policies to improve local Internet access. ILSR represents the interests of local communities that are not necessarily represented by any other part in the proceeding and has a statutory right to intervene pursuant to Minn. R. 1400.6200 (2021).
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ILSR can provide facts and insight as well as extensive contextual information related to broadband access, funding, and deployment in Minnesota.
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We recognize the petition against LTD Broadband’s expansion in Minnesota as an opportunity to advocate for the public interest and ensure that valuable public dollars are spent in a way that will bring quality, affordable connectivity to communities as soon as possible. The applicant hereby requests it be allowed to intervene as a party in the above-captioned proceeding.
Blandin on Broadband 