Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Telecommunications Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Michigan PSC adopts ALJ findings, fines CMC Telecom and orders refunds
Summary
The commission approved an order in case U-21904 finding CMC Telecom and Internet Inc. violated the Michigan Telecommunications Act by providing unlicensed local exchange service; an ALJ recommended $500 per day in penalties (totaling $61,000 for the period identified), refunds to two complainants, and a cease-and-desist.
The Michigan Public Service Commission on Nov. 6, 2025 voted unanimously to adopt the administrative law judge’s findings in case U-21904 and to impose penalties and consumer relief on CMC Telecom and Internet Inc. (CMCTI) for providing basic local exchange service in Michigan without a license.
Staff member Wendy Thalen told the commission that staff received two customer complaints and found evidence CMCTI provided voice service without a license, had not registered in the commission’s intrastate provider database, and appeared dissolved in 2021. Thalen said CMCTI initially responded but then failed to answer follow-up staff inquiries and did not participate in the hearing. An ALJ recommended assessing a $500-per-day penalty for the period from at least April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024, totaling $61,000, ordering refunds to the two complainants and directing CMCTI to cease providing unauthorized telecommunications services in Michigan.
Commissioners praised telecommunications staff for uncovering the violations and noted the importance of licensed, reliable landline service for vulnerable customers and for public-safety redundancy. Commissioner Peric thanked the telecommunications staff and described the case as "a clear case of a violation of the Michigan Telecommunications Act." Commissioner Myers echoed appreciation for staff work and lamented limits on the commission’s ability to sanction when only a limited period of violations is established on the record.
The commission voted to approve the order adopting the ALJ’s findings, requiring CMCTI to issue refunds to the two complainants, ordering CMCTI to cease and desist from providing unlicensed service in Michigan, and assessing the fines as proposed by the ALJ. The motion carried unanimously.
