Public Comment & Hearing - T-21349A-25-0016 - Ripple Fiber Arizona, LLC

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Arizona Corporation Commission 18 min 5 agenda items transcribed 3 days ago official recording ↗

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What is the purpose of the Ripple Fiber Arizona hearing and the CCNN application?

Brian Schneider 0:01

All right, well, let's go on the record. This is the time set for the hearing on the application of Ripple Fiber Arizona LLC docket number T-21349A-25-0016 for approval of a CCNN to provide private line telecommunications services in Arizona. The application also seeks the determination that the company's proposed services are competitive. I'm Administrative Law Judge Brian Schneider. I'll be presiding over this hearing today. I'll start with taking appearances for the record, and I'll start with the applicant.

Michael Patton 0:39

Good morning, Your Honor. Michael Patton, Snow and Wilmer on behalf of the applicant.

Brian Schneider 0:43

Good morning. And for staff.

Robert Reidenhower 0:45

Good morning, Your Honor. Robert Reidenhower for staff.

Brian Schneider 0:48

Good morning. Good morning. All right. I'm going to start, before we even get with any procedural issues, just if there's any public comment, we're going to do that portion of the hearing at this point. I do see a member in the audience. Sir, is there your indication to provide public comment?

Michael Patton 1:08

No.

Brian Schneider 1:10

Okay, he wasn't in a microphone. The answer was no, he's just an observer. Otherwise, I don't see any other people either in front of me on the monitor or in the room seeking to make public comment. So I'm going to close that portion of the hearing and we can move to any procedural issues the parties have before I'll ask for opening statements. Anything to discuss before we go right into the hearing?

Michael Patton 1:37

I don't believe so, Your Honor.

Brian Schneider 1:39

No, Your Honor. All right. We can have opening statements if you'd like. We'd

Michael Patton 1:44

waive opening statement.

Brian Schneider 1:45

Perfect. Staff?

Michael Patton 1:46

Also waive opening statement.

Brian Schneider 1:47

Making this pretty easy. Well, then I'll ask you to call your first witness. We would call Lance Vanderspay. Okay, and I appreciate you pronouncing that for me. Do it one more time. Hopefully I said it right. Vanderspay, and he will correct me if I'm wrong. Right. And how are we doing with that, sir?

Lance Vanderspay 2:06

Excellently. Thank you.

Brian Schneider 2:08

I can barely hear you, so can you either unmute yourself or make it louder?

Lance Vanderspay 2:15

Try that, Your Honor. That was pronounced excellently, Lance Vanderspay.

Brian Schneider 2:22

Perfect, thank you. Okay, and then I'll just let you guys take it away. All right. Actually, before I do that, I'm going to swear the witness in, because that's part of my job.

Why were there no public comments and how was the hearing procedurally opened?

Brian Schneider 2:33

So at this time, sir, I'm going to ask you to raise your right hand, and the court reporter is going to square you in.

Unknown 2:40

Sir, do you swear or affirm the testimony you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? I do. Thank you.

Brian Schneider 2:50

All right. Now you can take it away.

Michael Patton 2:54

Good morning, Mr. Vanderspay. Could you please provide your name and business address for the record, including spelling your name?

Lance Vanderspay 3:02

Sure. My name is Lance Vanderspay. It's L-A-N-C-E space V-A-N. My business address is Ripple Fiber, 6000 Fairview Road, South Park Towers, Suite 300, Charlotte, North Carolina. I'm the president of Ripple Fiber Arizona LLC. All

Michael Patton 3:29

right. And in your job position, what are your responsibilities?

Lance Vanderspay 3:35

I oversee the day-to-day operations of the business. Each department head facilitate the strategic alignment with success metrics, including business expansion, revenue growth, stakeholder engagement, and customer retention.

Michael Patton 3:51

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and experience in the telecommunications industry?

Lance Vanderspay 3:57

Certainly. I'm a chartered accountant by qualification and registered as a CPA with the state of Arizona. I received a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, Tax, and Audit. I have over 15 years experience in business management, demonstrating expertise in operational excellence, financial proficiency, and corporate entrepreneurship.

Michael Patton 4:20

All right. And how long have you been with Ripple Fiber?

Lance Vanderspay 4:23

A little over three years.

Michael Patton 4:26

All right. Mr. Vanderspay, we have marked two exhibits on behalf of the applicants. And for the record, exhibit A1 is the application, which was filed January 27th, 2025. And exhibit A2 are the responses to staff's first set of data requests filed June 20, 2025. Do you have those exhibits in front of you? Do you have those exhibits in front of you, Mr. Vanderspay?

Lance Vanderspay 4:57

Oh, sorry. Yes, I do.

Michael Patton 4:58

All right.