20131002notice_of_application_order_no_32902.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
October 2,2013
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
iN THE MATTER OF BLACKFOOT )TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP’S )CASE NO.FRE-T-13-01
APPLICATION TO MODIFY ITS NUMBER )RESERVE AND SEASONAL SERVICE )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
TARIFFS )
)NOTICE OF
)MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)
_______________________________
)ORDER NO.32902
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Blackfoot Telecommunications Group
(“BTG”),since acquiring Fremont Telcom from FairPoint Communications,is updating its
tariffs and billing systems while transitioning customers to its upgraded services.The Company
filed revised tariffs and seeks Commission approval to eliminate Number Reserve service,clarify
its current seasonal service charges,and adjust the residential customer rate to comply with the
FCC’s rate floor guidelines set forth in FCC 47 C.F.R.§54.318.The Company is also asking
the Commission to approve a $25.00 non-recurring charge for the second and subsequent
activations of seasonal service,a charge to discourage customers from disconnecting and
reconnecting service numerous times throughout a calendar year.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that in 1998,Fremont began offering a service
called Number Reserve.The rate for this service was 25%of the flat rate service charge or $6.44
for residential and $10.20 for business customers.Number Reserve service reserved a
customer’s telephone number when the customer left the service area for an extended period of
time,and disconnected dial tone and all other switch-based services associated with it.BTG
discovered that in some instances the Number Reserve service had been incorrectly provisioned
as seasonal or vacation service,improperly enabling customers to receive calls and make
outbound calls.The Company proposes to discontinue the Number Reserve service and migrate
those customers to its Seasonal service.The Company is setting a monthly rate of $14.00 and
$21.00 for residential and business respectively.The previous residential rate was $12.90 per
month.The proposed monthly residential Seasonal Service rate increase from $12.90 to $14.00
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32902
is consistent with the FCC’s Connect America Fund Order.1 The monthly business rate of
$21.00 is in compliance with the FCC’s Order and will not need to be adjusted.See FCC 47
CFR §54.318.The Company presented a cost analysis with its filing indicating the rate
adjustment will be revenue neutral.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Blackfoot proposes to implement a $25.00
fee activating service.Customers placing their service on seasonal status will not be charged the
$25.00 non-recurring fee for one activation in a 12-month period.The charge will be assessed
when seasonal service is initiated for each subsequent activation during a 12-month period.If
the customer changes service to the Company’s regular local exchange service,the fee will be
waived.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company requests the proposed tariff
charges be effective November 1,2013.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the
public interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter and will proceed under Modified
Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Idaho Public Utilities Commissionrs Rules
of Procedure,IDAPA 31.01.01.201 through .204.The Commission notes that Modified
Procedure and written comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input
and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission within 14
days from the service date of this Notice.The comment must contain a statement of reasons
supporting the comment.Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their
written comments.Written comments concerning this Application shall be mailed to the
Commission and the Applicant at the addresses reflected below:
See In the Matter of Connect America Fund;A National Broadband P/an for Our Future;Establishing Just andReasonableRaiesforLocalExchangeCarriers;High-Cost Universal Service Support;Developing an UnfledIntercarrierCompensationRegime;Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service;Lif’line and Link-Up;Universal Service Reform —Mobility Fund,WC Docket Nos.10-92,07-135,05-337,03-109,GN Docket No.09-51,CC Docket Nos.01-92,86-45,WT Docket No.10-208,Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed RuleMaking,FCC 11-161,pp.234-241 frel.Nov.18,2011)
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32902 2
Commission Secretary Michelle Norbeck
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Fremont Telcom Co.
P0 Box 83720 dba Fremont Communications
Boise,ID 83720-0074 1221 N.Russell Street
Missoula,MT 59808
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W.Washington Street
Boise,ID 83702-5918
These comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document.Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission’s home page located at www.puc.idaho.gov.Click the “Case Comment or Question
Form”under the “Consumers”tab,and complete the comment form using the case number as it
appears on the front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are
received within the time limit set,the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and
enter its Order without a formal hearing.If written comments are received within the time limit
set,the Commission will consider them and,in its discretion,may set the same for formal
hearing.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and exhibits have been filed
with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the
Commission offices.The Application and exhibits are also available on the Commission’s web
site at piicidaho,gov.Click on the “File Room”tab at the top of the page,scroll down to
“Open Telephone Cases,”and then click on the case number as shown on the front of this
document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission’s jurisdiction under Title 62 of the Idaho Code and specifically
Idaho Code §62-615.The Commission may enter any final Order consistent with its authority
under Title 62.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure,IDAPA 3 1.01.01.000 etseq.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32902 3
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this case be processed under Modified Procedure.
Interested persons and the parties may file written comments within 14 days of the service date
of this Order.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of October 2013.
ATTEST:
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Jdtti D.Jewell!]
Cmmission Secretary
O:FRFT-I 3O1 ws
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32902
MACK A.REDFORD,COMMISSIONER
MARSHA H.SMITH.COMMISSIONER
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