20140801Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER REDFORD
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM:CAROLEE HALL
DATE:AUGUST 1,2014
RE:APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF AN INTERCONNECTION
AGREEMENT BETWEEN CENTURYTEL OF IDAHO,INC.,DBA
CENTURYLINK,CENTURYTEL OF THE GEN STATE-IDAHO,INC.
DBA CENTURYLINK AND CENTURYLINK COMMUNICATIONS,LLC.
CASE NO.CEN-T-14-02 AND CGS-T-14-02.
BACKGROUND
On July 25,2014,this Commission received an Application seeking approval for an
Interconnection Agreement between CenturyTel of Idaho,Inc.,dba CenturyLink;CenturyTel of
the Gem State —Idaho,Inc.,dba CenturyLink and CenturyLink Communications,LLC.,
Under the provision of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996,interconnection
agreements must be submitted to the Commission for approval.47 U.S.C.§252(e)(I).The
Commission may reject an agreement adopted by negotiations only if it finds that the agreement:
(1)discriminates against a telecommunications carrier not a party to the agreement;or (2)
implementation of the agreement is not consistent with the public interest,convenience and
necessity.47 U.S.C.§252(e)(2)(A).As the Commission noted in Order No.28427,companies
voluntarily entering into interconnection agreements “may negotiate terms,prices and conditions
that do not comply with either the FCC rules or with the provision of Section 251(b)or (c).”
Order No.28427 at 11 (emphasis in original).This comports with the FCC’s statement that “a
state commission shall have authority to approve an interconnection agreement adopted by
negotiation even if the terms of the agreement do not comply with the requirements of [Part 51j.”
47 C.F.R.§51.3.
DECISION MEMORANDUM -I -AUGUST 1,2014
DISCUSSION
The Application is a new agreement between the parties.The Application states that the
Agreement was reached through voluntary negotiations without resort to mediation or arbitration
and submitted for approval pursuant to Section 252(e)of the Communications Act of 1934,as
amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.The Agreement sets out rates,terms and
conditions for local interconnection,collocation,local resale,and purchase of Unbundled
Network Elements (UNE).
STAFF ANALYSIS
Staff has reviewed the Application between the parties and believes the Agreement meets
the terms and conditions of this Commission and is consistent with the pro-competitive policies
of this Commission and the Idaho Legislature.Staff recommends approval of the Agreement.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission agree?
all’
udmcmos?CEN-T-14-02 and CGS-T-14-02 CenlunTel of Idaho,Inc.,dbacenlunLink,CenloryTel ofthe Gem State-Idaho,Inc.dba
CenlunLink and CentunLint Communications LLC>
DECISION MEMORANDUM -2-AUGUST 1,2014