960912.docx

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER NELSON
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER HANSEN
MYRNA WALTERS
TONYA CLARK
DON HOWELL
STEPHANIE MILLER
DAVE SCHUNKE
JOE CUSICK
GARY RICHARDSON
WORKING FILE
FROM:SUSAN HAMLIN
WELDON STUTZMAN
DATE:NOVEMBER 20, 1996
RE:APPLICATIONS OF CITIZENS TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANY, PHOENIX FIBERLINK OF IDAHO, INC.  AND GST IDAHO LIGHTWAVE, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO PROVIDE LOCAL SERVICE; CASE NOS.  CTC-T-96-1 AND PFI-T-96-1; AND GST-T-96-1
On August 16, 1996, the Commission received an Application from Citizens Telecommunications Company (Citizens) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide local exchange service as a competitive local carrier.  Currently, Citizens Telecom is authorized to provide unregulated telecommunications service under Title 62 of the Idaho Code.  The Application indicates that Citizens is seeking to obtain a Certificate to provide all Title 61 regulated telecommunication service, including basic local exchange service throughout the state of Idaho as authorized by the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996.
On July 16, 1996, an Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity was filed by Phoenix Fiberlink of Idaho, Inc. (PFI).  PFI’s Application states that the Company initially will provide Title 62 telecommunications services, and PFI subsequently provided information to the Commission to comply with the Title 62 notice requirements.  The Application also states that PFI “plans to begin providing intrastate telecommunications services over which the Commission exercises jurisdiction pursuant to Title 61 of the Idaho Code when authorized to do so by the Commission.”  PFI intends to provide services in “the exchanges served by U S WEST and GTE of the Northwest.”
On March 28, 1996, GST Idaho Lightwave, inc.  (GST) filed a set of documents “to be considered for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity in the state of Idaho.”  GST states that it intends to offer local exchange and long distance services, and desires to offer services primarily in the Boise exchange.
Each Company has provided information that may satisfy the requirements of Rule of Procedure 111 and Procedural Order No. 26665.  Staff recommends that proper notices be issued to process these Applications by modified procedure.  During the comment period, Staff will work with each company to ensure that information is provided to the Commission pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure.
Commission Decision
Should the Applications of Citizens, PFI and GST for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity be processed by modified procedure?

Susan Hamlin

Weldon B. Stutzman
vld/M:CTC-T-96-1.sh