Regulatory Commission of Alaska: Notice of Application for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (OptimERA) Notice of Application for Designation as an Eligible[...]

Regulatory Commission of Alaska: Notice of Application for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (OptimERA)

Notice of Application for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier

The REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA (Commission) gives notice that OptimERA Holdings, Inc. d/b/a OptimERA xG (OptimERA) filed an application for designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) for purposes of receiving federal High Cost funds (HCF). OptimERA proposes to provide Lifeline and Link Up Service in the following communities: Akhiok, Alatna, Aleneva, Allakaket, Atka, Beaver, Bettles, Birch Creek, Central, Chalkyitsik, Chicken, Chisana, Circle, Eagle, Eagle Village, Evansville, Hobart Bay, Hughes, Hyder, Ivanof Bay, Kaltag, Karluk, Koyukuk, Lake Minchumina, Lime Village, Livengood, Manley Hot Springs, Nikolai, Nikolski, Old Harbor, Portage Creek, Rampart, Red Devil, Red Dog Mine, St. George, Stevens Village, Stony River, Takotna, Venetie, Unalaska, and Akutan. OptimERA states it proposes to receive HCF only in those study areas and exchanges for which the Federal Communications Commission awards it in expected upcoming auctions. Docket No. U-25-005 was opened to address this matter.

The High Cost program provides support through more than a dozen separate legacy and modernized funds to ETCs to deliver affordable voice and broadband service in rural areas that would otherwise be unserved or underserved. Carriers designated as Lifeline-only ETCs are eligible to receive universal service funding for reduced rates and benefits for low-income consumers under the Lifeline and Link Up programs.

The Commission may approve or deny, in whole or in part, the application for ETC designation, impose conditions on approval, or take other actions to protect the public interest. You may obtain more information about OptimERA's application by contacting Brooks E. Harlow, attorney for OptimERA, at 12703 Fox Woods Drive, Herndon, VA 20171; phone: (206) 650-8201. The complete filing is also available for inspection at the Commission's office at 701 West 8th Avenue, Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99501; phone: (907) 276-6222, or may be viewed at the Commission's website at http://rca.alaska.gov by typing Docket No. "U-25-005" in the Find a Matter search box.

To comment on this application, please file your comments by 5:00 p.m., February 28, 2025, at the Commission's address given above or via our website at:

https://rca.alaska.gov/RCAWeb/WhatsNew/PublicNoticesComments.aspx

Please reference Docket No. U-25-005 and include a statement that you have filed a copy of the comments with OptimERA at the address given above. Individuals or groups of people with disabilities, who require special accommodations, auxiliary aids or service, or alternative communication formats, please contact Sam Vukasin at (907) 276-6222, toll-free at (800) 390-2782, or TTY/Alaska Relay 7-1-1 or (800) 770-8937, or send a request via electronic mail to [email protected] by February 21, 2025.

DATED at Anchorage, Alaska, this 7th day of February 2025.

REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA

John M. Espindola

Chair