981124.docx

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSIONER NELSON
COMMISSIONER SMITH
MYRNA WALTERS
TONYA CLARK
RITA SCOTT
DON HOWELL
STEPHANIE MILLER
DAVE SCHUNKE
JOE CUSICK
CAROLEE HALL
DAVID SCOTT
WORKING FILE
FROM:WELDON STUTZMAN
DATE:NOVEMBER 24, 1998
RE:CASE NO. ALB-T-98-4; APPLICATION OF ALBION TELEPHONE COMPANY FOR APPROVAL OF INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT WITH PROJECT MUTUAL TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION TO IMPLEMENT EXTENDED AREA SERVICE (EAS)
On November 20, 1998, an Application was filed by Albion Telephone Company for approval of an interconnection agreement between Albion and Project Mutual Telephone Cooperative Association, Inc.  The agreement, dated October 31, 1998, will enable the companies to implement extended area service (EAS) for their customers.  The agreement was reached through voluntary negotiations and is submitted for approval pursuant to Section 252(e) of the Telecommunica­tions Act of 1996.
Because the interconnection agreement is for the purpose of providing EAS between the two company’s service areas, Staff recommends that the Commission consider the appropriateness of EAS between Albion’s and Project Mutual’s customers as part of the Application.  Staff recommends processing the Application by Modified Procedure.  
Commission Decision
Should the Application of Albion Telephone Company for approval of an interconnection agreement, calling for implementation of EAS between Albion and Project Mutual’s customers, be processed by Modified Procedure?

Weldon Stutzman
vld/M:ALB-T-98-4.ws