KEMPTHRN.docx

March 6, 1998
The Honorable Dirk Kempthorne
United States Senate, Boise Office
304 N. 8th Street, Room 338
Boise, ID 83702
RE:Constituent Inquiry Regarding RMC Internet Services
Dear Senator Kempthorne:
Both Commissioner Smith and I have received constituent inquiries from your office regarding Rocky Mountain Communications’ (RMC) complaint against U S WEST Communications here in Boise.  More specifically, RMC asserts that U S WEST has failed to install requested communications facilities so that RMC can provide Internet services.  RMC claims that it stopped advertising for Internet subscribers here in the Treasure Valley at the same time U S WEST is promoting its own Internet services.
In a letter dated February 26, 1998, RMC’s President, Shane Jimenez, says that his company will “file a formal complaint [with the Commission] on this matter as soon as possible.”  As of this date, the complaint has not been filed with the PUC.  Mr. Jimenez has forwarded his complaint letter to several state officials and has urged its customers to contact these officials to apply “more pressure [so] the problem will go away.”
Although a formal complaint has yet to be filed, our preliminary information is that U S WEST has installed some of the requested facilities.  U S WEST has indicated that it intends to install additional facilities to meet RMC’s request no later than March 10, 1998.  RMC’s attorney has informally indicated that the problem has been resolved.
Should you have any additional questions, please contact me at 334-0340.
Sincerely,
Dennis S. Hansen
President
cc:Governor Batt
Attorney General Al Lance
Bev Barker
Ron Williams
bls/L-kempthrn.dh