HomeMy WebLinkAbout19970127Order No 26775.docBEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF CITIZENS TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY DBA CITIZENS TELECOM FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO PROVIDE LOCAL EXCHANGE SERVICES AS A COMPETITIVE LOCAL CARRIER. )
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ORDER NO. 26775
On August 16, 1996, the Commission received an Application from Citizens Telecommunications Company dba Citizens Telecom (Citizens) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (Certificate) to provide local telephone exchange service as a competitive local carrier. On November 7, 1996, the Commission issued Procedural Order No. 26665 which set out the necessary information to be included with an application for a Certificate by a new local telecommunications provider. On December 5, 1996, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure seeking comments on Citizens application. Upon reviewing the record before us, including the Application, the written comments and the requirements outlined in Order No. 26665, we approve Citizens Application for a Certificate to provide local service in U S WESTs and GTEs service territories.
DISCUSSION
Currently, Citizens is authorized to provide unregulated telecommunications service under Title 62 of the Idaho Code. In the Application, Citizens seeks to obtain a Certificate to provide Title 61 regulated telecommunications service, including basic local exchange service throughout the state of Idaho (Application at 1) as authorized by the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. 47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.
On December 5, 1996, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure seeking comments on the Application. On December 26, 1996, the Idaho Telephone Association (ITA) filed comments in this case. ITA claims that although Citizens Application seeks certification to provide Title 61 telecommunications services throughout the state of Idaho, the Application indicates that Citizens intends to provide Title 61 services only in U S WESTs service area. ITA advises that the Certificate should be limited to U S WESTs service area.
On January 13, 1997, the Staff filed its memorandum in this case with the Commission. Staff indicated that it reviewed the Application with Citizens. Acknowledging the comments filed by ITA, Citizens indicated to Staff that the Application was to provide Title 61 service in U S WESTs service area and GTEs service area. As indicated in the Application at 5, 6, 7 and the proposed service area map, Citizens is seeking to be Certified in the US WEST and GTE service area, thus the service area would not include other exchanges such as the rural telephone companies service area. Further, Citizens has provided information that was missing from its original Application to comply with Order No. 26665. Staff believes that Citizens has adequately complied with the procedural requirement in Order No. 26665 and recommends approval of the Certificate for Citizens in the U S WEST and GTE service area.
COMMISSION FINDINGS
Based on our review of the record we find that Citizens Application and supplemental filing complies with Procedural Order No. 26665 and the Commissions rules to obtain a Certificate to be a local service provider in Idaho. We therefore approve Citizens Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide local exchange service in U S WESTs service area and GTEs service area.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Citizens Telecommunications Company dba Citizens Telecom is granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide local telecommunications service in U S WESTs and GTEs service area.
THIS IS A FINAL ORDER. Any person interested in this Order (or in issues finally decided by this Order) or in interlocutory Orders previously issued in this Case No. CTZ-T-96-1 may petition for reconsideration within twenty-one (21) days of the service date of this Order with regard to any matter decided in this Order or in interlocutory Orders previously issued in this Case No. CTZ-T-96-1. Within seven (7) days after any person has petitioned for reconsideration, any other person may cross-petition for reconsideration. See Idaho Code 61 626.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this day of January 1997.
RALPH NELSON, PRESIDENT
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
DENNIS S. HANSEN, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
vld/O:CTZ-T-96-1.sh
ORDER NO. 26775
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
January 27, 1997