26506.docx

(text box: 1)BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF AT&T COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MOUNTAIN STATES FOR AN AMENDMENT TO ITS CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVE-NIENCE AND NECESSITY TO PROVIDE LOCAL EXCHANGE TELECOMMUNI-CATIONS SERVICES.
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CASE NO. ATT-T-96-1
ORDER NO.  26506
On February 29, 1996, AT&T Communications of the Mountain States, Inc. (AT&T) filed a Notice and Application for Amended Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity requesting that its certificate be amended to authorize local exchange service in the state of Idaho.  AT&T asserted that the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 promotes the development of competition in local exchange service markets and that any limitations on its ability to provide local exchange services contained in Title 61 and Title 62, Idaho Code, are preempted by the federal Act.  AT&T’s Application stated that it intends to provide local exchange service in those areas currently served by U S WEST Communications and GTE Northwest Incorporated, after completing negotiations with those companies for the necessary interconnection and operational arrangements.
On March 29, 1996, the Commission issued a Notice of Application, and on May 15, 1996 issued a Notice of Modified Procedure.  The Notice of Modified Procedure provided a written comment period that expired on June 14, 1996.  Comments were filed by a group of small independent telephone companies, U S WEST Communications, Inc., GTE Northwest Incorporated, Commission Staff and a private individual.  Some of the commenters suggested that a formal hearing may be necessary to process AT&T’s Application.
In order for the Commission to better evaluate AT&T’s Application and issues identified in the comments, we find that AT&T should file written comments in response to the comments filed by the interested parties.  AT&T should respond to the specific concerns identified in the comments to enable the Commission to determine whether a hearing is appropriate in this case.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that AT&T file, within 14 days of the date of this Order, written comments in response to the comments filed in this case.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho, this         day of  June  1996.
                                                                                RALPH NELSON, PRESIDENT
                                                                                MARSHA H. SMITH,  COMMISSIONER
                                                                                DENNIS S. HANSEN, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

MYRNA J. WALTERS
COMMISSION SECRETARY
bls/O-attt961.ws
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
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Service Date
June 28, 1996