20061016_1700.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER SMITH
CO MMISSI 0 NER HANSEN
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM:CECELIA A. GASSNER
DATE:OCTOBER 12, 2006
SUBJECT:IN THE MATTER OF INLAND CELLULAR'PETITION FOR
DESIGNATION AS AN ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
CARRIER; CASE NO. INC- T -06-
On June 29, 2006, Inland Cellular Telephone Company filed a Petition on behalf of
Washington RSA No.8 Limited Partnership d/b/a Inland Cellular ("Inland" or "Company ) for
designation as an Eligible Telecommunication Carrier (ETC) for service areas in Idaho that are
currently serviced by other carriers. See Idaho Code ~ 61-610A and Order No. 29841. Also see
47 U.C. ~ 214(e)(2). A Notice of Application was filed on September 6, 2006. Order No.
30123. On September 27, 2006, Inland supplemented its Application with further information.
The Company filed additional supplemental information on October 12 2006.
To date, three entities have intervened in this matter. On August 15 , 2006, the Idaho
Telephone Association (IT A) filed its Petition to Intervene, and on September 1 , 2006, Citizens
Telecommunications of Idaho dba Frontier Communications of Idaho ("Frontier ) filed its
Petition to Intervene. On September 12, 2006, Potlatch Telephone Company, Inc. ("Potlatch"
filed its Petition to Intervene and its out-of-state counsel filed a Motion for Limited Admission.
No objections were filed to any of the Petitions or to the Motion. ITA's Petition was granted.
Order No. 30123. On October 5 , 2006, Frontier s and Potlatch's Petitions were also granted, as
was the Motion by Potlatch's counsel. Order No. 30144.
THE APPLICATION
According to the Application, Inland is authorized by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) as the "B Band" cellular carrier in the northern section (within Idaho
County) of Idaho 2 (B-2) Rural Service Area (RSA). Application at 2. Inland is also licensed by
DECISION MEMORANDUM
the FCC as the "B Band" cellular carrier and has the authority to serve the southern section of
Idaho 1 (B-2) RSA through a Rural Service Area Service Agreement and Option held by Inland
Telephone Company. Id. Inland is a commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) provider and
provides interstate telecommunications services. Id. Inland seeks designation as an ETC and to
receive universal service support in certain non-rural wire centers located in Benewah
Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce Counties.
The Application contains certain information related to the Company s local usage
plans, customer service and ability to provide service. The Company provides several pricing
options for its customers, and also intends to invest funds in upgrading its infrastructure.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff believes that the supplemental information filed by the Company further
completes its Application. Staff recommends that the Application be processed by Modified
Procedure with a 30-day comment period. Staff also recommends that a deadline for
intervention be established of October 30, 2006.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission preliminarily find that the public interest may not require a
hearing to consider the issues presented in this case, and that this case is appropriate for
Modified Procedure pursuant to Commission Rules of Procedure 201 through 204?
Does the Commission approve of the recommended comment period?
Does the Commission approve of the recommended deadline for intervention in this
matter?
cec
M:INC-O6-cg3
DECISION MEMORANDUM