Telephone And Data Systems, Inc. And Chorus Communications, Ltd.

This page provides information on applications to the FCC related to the proposed acquisition by Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. of Commission licenses and authorizations held by Chorus and its subsidiaries to provide domestic and international telecommunications services pursuant to parts 22, 63 and 90 of the Commission's rules.

These applications have been consolidated under CC Docket 01-73, and most of the record in the proceeding is accessible through the Electronic Comment Filing System. Copies of documents in the record may also be obtained for a fee from FCC's duplicating contractor Qualex International, or may be viewed and/or copied at the FCC Reference Center.

Timeline

Record Documents

Below is a list of record documents in reverse chronological order.

8/10/01
FCC Approves the transfer of control applications filed by Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. and Chorus Communications, Ltd.: Memorandum Opinion and Order (DA 01-1914). [ Text | Word97 | Acrobat ]

6/6/01
Amendment to Applications of Chorus Communications, Ltd. and Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. for Consent to Transfer Control Pursuant to Section 310 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended

5/16/01
Notice of Ex Parte Presentation filed by Chorus Communications, Ltd. and Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [Acrobat | Acrobat | Acrobat | Acrobat]

4/5/01
Conditional grant on streamlined basis of transfer of control of international 214 authority

3/20/01
Commission Seeks Comment on Application for Consent to Transfer Control Filed by Chorus Communications, Ltd. and Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [Text | Word | Acrobat]

Applications

3/7/01
Applications of Chorus Communications, Ltd. and Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. for Transfer of Control of Domestic and International Section 214 Authority.

Domestic Section 214 Authority -

Chorus Communications Group, Ltd.

Streamlined International Section 214 Applications -

Pioneer Communications, Inc., Authorization Number ITC-90-145

Chorus Networks, Inc., f/k/a Mid-Plains Communications Systems, Inc., Authorization Number ITC-94-239

2/8/01
Applications of Chorus Communications, Ltd. and Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. for Consent to Transfer Control Pursuant to Section 310 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

Part 22 - Paging and Radiotelephone Service, Farmers Telephone Company, File Number 0000352422, Call Sign KDS392

Part 90 - Specialized Mobile Radio Service, Pioneer Communications, Inc., File Number 0000352426, Call Sign WNXZ739

Part 90 - Industrial/Business Radio Service, Chorus Networks, Inc. DBA Mid-Plains Communications Systems, File Number 0000334628, Call Sign KD27323

Part 90 - Industrial/Business Radio Service, Mid-Plains Telephone, Inc., File Number 0000352428, Call Sign KSK336

Background

On March 7, 2001, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS), and Chorus Communications, Ltd. (Chorus) (collectively Applicants) filed applications pursuant to sections 214 and 310(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Ё 214, 310(d), requesting Federal Communications Commission (Commission) approval to transfer control to TDS of Commission licenses and authorizations held by Chorus and its subsidiaries to provide domestic and international telecommunications services pursuant to parts 22, 63 and 90 of the Commission's rules. Specifically, Applicants request Commission approval to transfer control of wireless licenses and domestic authorizations held by Chorus and its subsidiaries, and international authorizations held by Chorus's subsidiaries, Pioneer Communications, Inc. (Pioneer), and Chorus Networks, Inc. (Chorus Networks), to TDS. Under the terms of the proposed transfer of control, Singer Acquisition Corp. (Singer), a wholly-owned subsidiary of TDS, will merge with and into Chorus, leaving Chorus a wholly-owned subsidiary of TDS. Chorus's subsidiaries will also become wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of TDS.

TDS is a holding company, which through its wholly-owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications Corporation (TDS Telecom) and operating subsidiaries, serves approximately 731,000 access lines and access line equivalents in 28 states. In Wisconsin, TDS serves approximately 107,000 access lines in 158 communities through its 16 incumbent local exchange carriers (LECs). In Minnesota, TDS Telecom serves approximately 34,140 access lines through its incumbent LEC subsidiaries, and 49,900 access lines through a competitive LEC, USLink. Chorus, through its incumbent LEC and competitive LEC subsidiaries, provides local exchange services in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Chorus's incumbent LEC subsidiaries, Mid-Plains, Inc. (Mid-Plains), Farmers Telephone Company and Dickeyville Telephone Corporation, serve 36,202, 7,273 and 1,463 access lines, respectively. Chorus Networks, a CLEC owned by Chorus, serves 1,529 access lines in Wisconsin, 1,127 of which are resale lines. HBC Telecom, a Chorus competitive LEC, serves 727 access lines in Minnesota. TDS and Chorus's subsidiaries also provide long distance service.

The Applicants assert that the purchase of Chorus by TDS will promote efficient, high-quality services and competition in local and long distance telephone services in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Applicants further state that the proposed transaction will have no adverse effect upon competition in the provision of domestic, interstate telecommunications services in Wisconsin or Minnesota. Applicants also assert that the proposed transaction will affect only a small percentage of each of Wisconsin's and Minnesota's access lines, and a de minimis percentage of each state's long distance customers.

Clock History

Day 1 was on: 3/20/01
This information was last updated on: 8/10/01