AT&T and Granite Telecom said they are close to agreement to resolve Granite’s wholesale pricing complaint against AT&T. In a joint motion posted Tuesday in docket C17-08-020, the companies asked the California Public Utilities Commission to pause proceedings until Jan. 5. Granite complained July 24 about alleged AT&T “unjust, unreasonable and discriminatory” wholesale pricing practices.
The FCC Public Safety Bureau rejected a bid by the state of Washington Department of Transportation to operate an 800 MHz base station less than the minimum required separation distance from co-channel sites licensed to Sprint. The department wanted to install a base station in Eatonville in a statewide private land mobile radio system. Sprint hasn't canceled its remaining licenses in the region nor has the FCC announced when it will begin accepting applications, said Tuesday's order. “DOT’s waiver request is essentially a request for early access to a Sprint-vacated channel so it can expand its contour footprint on that channel,” the bureau said. “DOT’s waiver request is premature and, if granted, would allow Washington DOT to circumvent the process the Commission established to make Sprint-vacated channels equitably available for licensing.”
CenturyLink signed a five-year data-networking contract with Pennsylvania, the carrier announced Monday, partnering with Comcast Business for network services and last-mile connectivity. The deal is related to the $79 million contract Pennsylvania awarded in September to Level 3, now part of CenturyLink (see 1709200041).
A software issue led to a Verizon Wireless outage Monday affecting customers throughout Michigan, a spokesman said. The disruption started at 10 a.m.; engineers resolved the issue and restored all cellsites by 2:15 p.m. EST, the spokesman said.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Nominating Council is seeking applications by Jan. 11 for candidates to fill a five-year commission term starting April 11, the day after Beth Trombold’s term expires. The council plans to meet Jan. 25 to interview applicants and recommend four finalists to Gov. John Kasich (R), who has 30 days to appoint one or seek more nominees. Kasich’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
Missouri is the ninth state to opt in to FirstNet after soliciting alternative proposals, with Gov. Eric Greitens (R) the 36th governor to accept an AT&T plan. New Hampshire last week became the first state to decide not to opt in (see 1712070035). The deadline is Dec. 28.
The FCC asked for comment by Jan. 11 on a California Department of Education request for waiver of E-rate deadlines in eight counties eligible for wildfire-related Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance plus surrounding areas (see 1711280048), the Wireline Bureau said in docket 02-6.
Arizona commissioners’ ethics code should include “a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment,” Arizona Corporation Commission Chairman Tom Forese said in a letter last week to Ethics Committee Chairman Boyd Dunn. Forese suggested a mandatory online training course for all commissioners and staff, and “a clear process to effectively address any such conduct should it arise.” The ethics committee plans to release a draft ethics code Dec. 29 amid skepticism by one Arizona commissioner and government watchdogs (see 1712010034).
The Wyoming Public Service Commission should suspend its service-quality probe of CenturyLink to allow settlement talks, CenturyLink and the Wyoming Office of Consumer Advocate said last week in a joint motion in docket 14475. Parties said they will file weekly updates on talks.
The FCC Wireline Bureau sought comment on a California Public Utilities Commission petition to waive Lifeline recertification and non-usage rules for customers affected by California wildfires. The CPUC asked for a four-month waiver in a Nov. 8 petition in docket 11-42. Comments are due Jan. 8, replies Jan. 23, the bureau said in a Friday notice. The FCC Thursday said it’s monitoring the current blazes (see 1712070070).