The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutFORTE.docx February 27, 1998 Thomas M. Forte Technologies Management, Inc. 210 N Park Avenue PO Drawer 200 Winter Park, FL 32790-0200 RE: American Nortel Communications, Inc. Dear Mr. Forte: On February 10, 1998, Technologies Management, Inc. filed price lists with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission on behalf of American Nortel Communications, Inc., in order to authorize American Nortel to provide telecommunication services in Idaho. However, the Staff of the IPUC has learned that American Nortel has not obtained a certificate of authority to conduct business as a foreign corporation. Idaho Code § 30-1-106 requires a foreign corporation to obtain a certificate of authority from the Idaho Secretary of State’s office in order to conduct business within the state. A telecommunication company must have a certificate of authority in order to file price lists with the Commission to provide telecommunication services within the state. Also, beginning December 5, 1997, the IPUC Staff has received several complaints that American Nortel has switched customers for services without authorization from the customer, an illigal technique commonly referred to as “slamming.” Since then, the IPUC Staff has received at least ten slamming complaints. These activities by American Nortel constitute various violations of Idaho laws and IPUC regulations. Idaho Code § 62-620 authorizes civil penalties against telecommunications providers that violate Idaho laws and regulations. Such companies may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $2,000 per day for each day that a violation continues. This letter is to provide notice that American Nortel is not authorized to conduct business within the state of Idaho, and that all available legal remedies may be sought against American Nortel if it continues to conduct illegal activities within the state. The price lists provided to the IPUC on February 10, 1998, are being returned with this letter. American Nortel may refile the price lists when it has complied with Idaho statutes to authorize its business transactions within the state. In addition, if the IPUC Staff continues to receive slamming complaints by American Nortel, the IPUC and the Idaho Attorney General’s office may pursue all available legal remedies to discourage and prevent further complaints of slamming by American Nortel. I understand the IPUC Staff has informed customers that have complained of slamming that they have no obligation to pay charges they did not approve. Sincerely, Weldon B. Stutzman Deputy Attorney General WBS/vld:L:Forte Enclosure cc:William P. Williams, President American Nortel Communications, Inc. 7201 E. Camelback, Ste. 320 Scottsdale, AZ 835251 Idaho Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division Idaho State Tax Commission Idaho Secretary of State’s Office Myrna Walters, Commission Secretary THOMAS M. FORTE TECHNOLOGIES MANAGEMENT, INC. 210 N PARK AVENUE PO DRAWER 200 WINTER PARK, FL 32790-0200 WILLIAM P. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT AMERICAN NORTEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. 7201 E. CAMELBACK, STE. 320 SCOTTSDALE, AZ 835251 IDAHO ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION PO BOX 83720 BOISE, ID 83720-0010 IDAHO STATE TAX COMMISSION 800 PARK BLVD. BOISE, ID 83722 IDAHO SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE PO BX 83720 BOISE, ID 83720-0080