Tribal Outreach Webinar: Expanding Communication Services in Tribal Communities

1. Tribal Outreach Webinar California Public Utilities CommissionCalifornia High Cost Fund A (R.11-11-007)July 22, 2019 Dorris Chow Communications Division

2. Purpose of Webinar The California High Cost Fund –A (CHCF-A) is a program that supports (gives subsidies) to the small independent telephone corporations, knowns as Small Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers, to serve certain high-cost, largely rural communities in the state. The Commission issued a scoping memo for this phase of R.11-11-007, which included the issue of whether the program should be modified to serve additional communities, including tribal communities.

3. Purpose of Webinar continued To answer the question the Commission needs to know— • Can the CHCF-A provide communication services (voice and/or high-speed broadband internet) in tribal communities? • If so, this could be through - serving tribal communities located outside the Small ILECs territories, but near/close to a Small ILEC territory, or - by forming CHCF-A companies to serve tribal communities

4. Agenda Background • What is the California High Cost Fund-A? • Who are the recipients of the CHCF-A and what services do they provide? Issues • What are the communications needs of the tribal communities that are located near the CHCF-A companies/recipient’ service territories? Comments • What is the process? • How can tribal communities submit comments to the CPUC?

5. What is the California High Cost-Fund A? • The CHCF-A program is a universal service program administered by the CPUC. • Public Utilities Code Section 275.6 statutorily mandates this program. • “Universal service” means that a minimum level of telecommunications service should be available to everyone in the state at a reasonable rate. • Purpose of the program is to provide financial support to small telephone companies so that they can deliver safe, reliable and high-quality communications services in rural areas of the state.

6. Small ILECs Service Territories

7. SmallIncumbent Local Exchange Carriers • Wireline/landline telephone basic service rates are $30-$37, including surcharges and fees. • Under federal law, the CPUC does not have authority to set wireless telephone service rates or broadband service rates.

8. Issues • What communications services are available in your area? • Do you have wireline phone service, wireless phone service, and/or broadband (internet) service in your area? • Who (which company) is offering broadband service in your area? Is broadband service affordable? What are the prices? What broadband speeds are offered? • Are there specific actions the Commission may take to extend broadband access, service quality, or affordability in your area? What types of communications services do you need? • Are Small ILECs offering (volunteering) service nearby?

9. Case Study: Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Tribal carrier established Warm Springs Telecommunications Co., WSTC: • Best practices from National Tribal Telecom Association (NTTA) • Federal technical capacity building grants from USDA-Rural Development • $11 million in total federal, tribal, and local venture funds received • WSTC is issued carrier certifications by Oregon State Commission • Oregon State Commission authorizes State Universal Service Fund subsidy status • WSTC becomes preferred telecom provider for enterprises within the Warm Springs Reservation • Partnership with IOU Portland General Electric (PGE) provides fiber backhaul Detailed Case Studies http://bit.ly/2JHZYuN

10. Case Study: Havasupai Tribe • California-based nonprofit MuralNet, and Northern Arizona University provide professional and technical services to support network deployment. • 2018 -Tribe files with Federal Communications Commission to use Educational Broadcast Service (EBS) spectrum for a tribal broadband network. • Local wireless internet service provider (WISP) Niles Radio Communications installs network using off-the-shelf equipment. • Detailed Case Studies http://bit.ly/2JHZYuN

11. How can tribal communities submit comments to the CPUC? Method 1 (informal): Write to the Public Advisor’s Office Subject: “CHCF-A (R.11-11-007) - …” Email: public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov stephanie.green@cpuc.ca.gov Address: California Public Utilities CommissionPublic Advisor's Office505 Van Ness AvenueSan Francisco, CA 94102

12. How to submit comments to the CPUC? Method 2 (formal): Become a party and file written comments to Rulemaking (R.11-11-007) • Instruction on how to become a party to a proceeding: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/Party_to_a_Proceeding/ • Create formal documents: https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/creating_formal_documents/ • Question, contact Public Advisor’s Office at 1-866-849-8390

13. Tribal Consultations • The Commission will host three tribal consultations on Tribal Land Transfers and Telecommunications Services • Consultations will be an opportunity to provide input on this proceeding • Northern, Central, and Southern California Consultations in Sep. and Oct. 2019. • The Northern Consultation will be hosted at the Blue Lake Rancheria on September 30. • Info and updates at www.cpuc.ca.gov/tribal/

14. Intervenor Compensation Program • The Intervenor Compensation Program is intended to ensure that individuals and groups that represent residential or small communities have the financial resources to bring their concerns to the Commission during formal proceedings • CA Statute allows qualified parties involved in Commission proceedings to request compensation for their participation (allowable fees and costs) in narrow circumstances • Governments do not generally qualify for intervenor compensation • Other organizations or individuals might qualify, and should contact the Tribal Liaison (Stephanie Green) to talk about their specific circumstances • Information on Intervenor Compensation Program: https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/icomp/ • Question, call (415)703-2179 or email Icompcoordinator@cpuc.ca.gov

15. How to follow and stay informed to a Proceeding? Subscription Service • This is a free service that provides the public an opportunity to subscribe and receive documents related to formal proceedings, such as R.11-11-007. • http://subscribecpuc.cpuc.ca.gov/ Service List • If you would like to be on the official service list of a proceeding, complete the “Addition/Change to Service List” form (https://ia.cpuc.ca.gov/servicelists/sl_index.htm) and e-mail it to Process_Office@cpuc.ca.gov.

16. Resource Information Copy of Presentation is posted on https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/tribal/ CPUC Tribal Liaison: Stephanie Green (stephanie.green@cpuc.ca.gov; 415-703-5245) CPUC Lead Analyst: Dorris Chow (Dorris.Chow@cpuc.ca.gov; 415-703-2182)