In Re GCC License Corp.

KONENKAMP, Justice.

[¶ 1.] In this appeal, we examine whether the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission erroneously denied a wireless telecommunications company’s application to become an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC). To answer the question, we interpret 47 U.S.C. 214(e)(1), the federal statute governing the requirements for ETC status. The PUC read this statute to require that applicants must presently be providing or offering all enumerated services before ETC designation. On appeal, the circuit court reversed, ruling that federal law only requires applicants to show that…