Federal Communications Commission DA 09-1288 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service Virginia Cellular, LLC Petition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in Commonwealth of Virginia ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) CC Docket No. 96-45 ORDER Adopted: June 8, 2009 Released: June 8, 2009 By the Acting Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau: 1. In this order, we accept the relinquishment of the eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designation of Virginia Cellular, LLC (Virginia Cellular) in the Williamsville wire center in the study area of MGW Telephone Company (MGW) in Virginia.1 2. On January 22, 2006, the Commission granted the request of Virginia Cellular, a commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) provider, for ETC designation in certain service areas within Virginia, including designation in the Williamsville wire center in the MGW study area.2 On June 23, 2004, the Virginia State Corporation Commission issued a final order concurring with the Commission’s redefinition of MGW’s service area, including the Williamsville wire center.3 3. Since its ETC designation in 2006, Virginia Cellular has been acquired by Cellco Partnership d/b/a/ Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) and no longer seeks to serve as an ETC in the Williamsville wire center.4 Specifically, on June 1, 2006, WWC License LLC, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Alltel Corporation (Alltel), acquired Virginia Cellular.5 Subsequently, on January 9, 2009, Verizon Wireless acquired Alltel and its subsidiaries, such that Virginia Cellular became a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Verizon Wireless.6 On April 3, 2009, Virginia Cellular filed the notice of relinquishment with the Commission.7 1 Virginia Cellular, LLC., Notice of Partial Relinquishment of Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation, CC Docket No. 96-45 (filed Apr. 3, 2009) (Virginia Cellular Notice). 2 Virginia Cellular, LLC., Petition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in Virginia, Docket No. 96-45, Order, 19 FCC Rcd 1563 (2005) (Virginia Cellular Order). 3 See Application of Virginia Cellular LLC for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunication Provider Under 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(2), Case No. PUC-2001-00264, slip op. (Va. State Corp. Comm’n June 23, 2004). 4 Virginia Cellular Notice at 1-2. 5 Id. at 2. 6 Id. 7 Id. at 1. Federal Communications Commission DA 09-1288 2 4. Pursuant to section 214(e)(4) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), Virginia Cellular provided notice of its intent to relinquish its ETC designation in the Williamsville wire center in MGW’s service area.8 Virginia Cellular states that the wire center will continue to be served by MGW, the incumbent local exchange carrier ETC.9 Virginia Cellular asserts that it will continue providing CMRS service within its licensed service area in Virginia; however, because it does not currently serve any customers in the Williamsville wire center, it has no need to provide customer notification of its ETC relinquishment to any customers in that area.10 Virginia Cellular also states that no other wire centers are affected by its ETC relinquishment in the Williamsville wire center.11 Virginia Cellular, therefore, is permitted to relinquish its ETC designation in the Williamsville wire center in Virginia. 5. IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to the authority contained in section 214(e)(4) of the Communications Act as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(4), and the authority delegated in sections 0.91 and 0.291 of the Commission’s Rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.91, 0.291, the ETC designation of Virginia Cellular, LLC. IS RELINQUISHED in the Williamsville wire center in Virginia. 6. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to section 1.102(b)(1) of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §1.102(b)(1), this order SHALL BE effective upon release. 7. IT IS FURTHER ODERED that Virginia Cellular SHALL TRANSMIT a copy of this order to the Virginia State Corporation Commission and the Universal Service Administrative Company. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Julie A. Veach Acting Chief Wireline Competition Bureau 8 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(4); Virginia Cellular Notice at 1. 9 Virginia Cellular Notice at 3. 10 Id. at 4. 11 Id. at 1.