The North Dakota Public Service Commission on June 4 consolidated two Red River Rural Telephone Association applications for hearing over service in the Wahpeton exchange and the carrier’s request for designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier.

Presiding Commissioner moved to consolidate the cases and issue a notice of opportunity for a consolidated hearing under North Dakota Administrative Code section 69-02-04-04; the motion was seconded and approved. The cases are PUD-25-185 (public convenience and necessity) and PUD-25-190 (designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier).

Red River filed both applications on May 12 seeking authorization to provide local exchange service as the incumbent local exchange carrier in the Wahpeton exchange, which is currently served by CenturyLink, and seeking ETC designation to become eligible for universal-service funding. The commission listed issues to be considered, including Red River’s technical, financial and managerial fitness to provide service; adequacy of proposed services; the ETC qualifications; the universal-service support area; and whether CenturyLink’s certificate or designation should be relinquished or transferred to a competitive carrier if Red River is authorized.

The commission invited written comments and requests for hearings. Comments and requests for hearings must be received by July 18, 2025. The commission noted that, if appropriate, it may decide the matter without a formal hearing.