19970414Cattafesta Letter.doc

April 14, 1997

Maria Cattafesta
Swidler & Berlin
3400 K Street NW Ste 300
Washington, D.C. 20007

Re: Excel Telecommunications, Inc.; Case No. EXC-T-97-1.

Dear Ms. Cattafesta:

On June 17, 1996, Swidler and Berlin submitted an application on behalf of Excel Telecommunications for authority to provide local exchange resale services in Idaho. This application was held pending the generation of rules and procedures to govern the procedure of granting authority to new entrants into Idahos local exchange market.

In October 1996 this Commission formulated rules and procedures to be applied to applicants for authority to provide local service in Idaho. This information was presented in Case No. GNRT964, Procedural Order No. 26665.

In view of the passage of considerable time and the generation of new information, we feel that it will be more efficient for you and your client, and also for us, if we return your application without prejudice. This will give you the opportunity to resubmit your application using the guidelines we have generated and it will give us the opportunity to start fresh to process your application in the manner it deserves.

Maria Cattafesta
April 14, 1997
Page 2

We are returning your application for Excel Telecommunications herewith, but we will not close Docket No. EXC-T-97-1. If you would like us to close the docket, please send us your request in writing. We look forward to processing a modified docket at your convenience. Please feel free to call if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Birdelle Brown
Telecommunications Analyst

cc: J. Cusick
B. Purdy
K. Snyder
Working File

bbrown\cpn\excel.ret