D0204020 VarTec Telecom, Inc., U.S. Republic Communications, Inc., Choctaw Communications, Inc. d/b/a Smoke Signal Communications, Reconex, settlement, penalty, restitution, CPCN, local exchange, limited facilities-based, resold

ALJ/JPO/tcg Mailed 4/9/2002

Decision 02-04-020 April 4, 2002

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

VarTec Telecom, Inc. for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity To Offer Local Exchange and Access Services and to Acquire the Majority Membership Interest in, and the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity of Choctaw Communications, LLC.

Application 99-04-011

(Filed April 14, 1999)

OPINION

Daniel W. Douglass, and Philip L. Chabot, Jr., Attorneys at Law, for VarTec Telecom, Inc., applicant.

Cleveland W. Lee, Attorney at Law, for the Consumer Services Division, interested party.