Media Advisory

For more information contact: Abbie Hodgson, 785-271-3269

July 10, 2009

MEDIA ADVISORY: KCC to Hold Big River Telephone Hearing Monday;
Big River requests to expand service to rural areas

Topeka, KS-The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) will hold a technical hearing Monday, July 13th through Wednesday, July 15th regarding Big River Telephone Company's application to expand its service territory to areas served by rural telephone companies.

9:00 a.m., Monday, July 13, 2009

Kansas Corporation Commission
First Floor Hearing Room
1500 SW Arrowhead Road
Topeka, Kansas

In August 2008, Big River filed an application for a certificate of convenience and authority to provide competitive local exchange telecommunication services in the service areas of Golden Belt Telephone Association, Home Telephone Company, Rural Telephone Service Company, Tri-County Telephone Association, and Twin Valley Telephone. The primary issue in this case is whether it is prudent for the Commission to waive the exception under both state and federal law that exempts rural telephone companies from the requirement to provide interconnection for competitive carriers, such as Big River.

The company has also requested to be designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) in areas it currently serves along with certain areas of the service territory included in the application. If the Commission were to designate Big River as an eligible telecommunications carrier, the company would be eligible to receive Federal Universal Service Fund (FUSF) and Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) support.

A complete copy of Big River's application and supporting testimony, along with testimony from KCC staff is available at http://kcc.ks.gov/docket/cal.cgi?docket=09-BGRT-213-ETC.