20050307Memorandum.pdf

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FROM:KIRA DALE PFISTERER
DATE:MARCH 7, 2005
RE:EAS REQUEST BETWEEN JULIAETT A/KENDRICK AND LEWISTON
LAPWAI, LENORE, AND CLARKSTON, W A. CASE NO. GNR- T -00-
On November 15 , 1999, the Commission received a Petition for Extended Area
Service (EAS) requesting toll free local telephone service between the Juliaetta/Kendrick area
and Lewiston, Lapwai and Lenore, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington. On December 14, 1999
the Commission decided to open a case to consider the intrastate routes included in the Petition.
THE PE TITI 0 N
Twenty-nine individuals signed the 1999 Petition. Twenty-one of the petitioners are
customers of Potlatch Telephone Company, doing business as TDS Telecom ("TDS"), and eight
are customers of Inland Telephone Company ("Inland"). Thirteen of the petitioners are from
Juliaetta, eight are from Kendrick, and eight are from Lenore. Each of the petitioners' telephone
numbers has a prefix from either the Juliaetta or Kendrick exchange.
ST AFF REVIEW
In late 2004, Staff reviewed the Petition in light of the standards set forth in Order
No. 26311 and Idaho Code ~ 61-612. In addition, Staff contacted TDS for facilities and cost
information. In early 2005, TDS identified major costs associated with developing the facilities
necessary to implement the EAS. Moreover, TDS informed Staff that beginning in April 2005, it
plans to offer its Idaho residential customers unlimited long distance calling for $34.90 per
month. The plan would cover both intrastate and interstate calling.
With this information, Staff contacted the lead petitioner on the EAS request, Don
Kerby. Mr. Kerby agreed that the TDS proposal would be more beneficial than the proposed
EAS. Mr. Kerby then contacted the others named on the Petition. Ultimately, via the attached e-
mail, Mr. Kerby, on behalf of all petitioners, voluntarily withdrew the EAS request.
Consequently, this file should be closed.
Kira Pfisterer
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Carolee Hall
Thursday, March 03, 2005 6:55 AM
Kira Pfisterer; Don Howell; Joe Cusick; Weldon Stutzman
Gail. Long(QtTDSTELECOM. COM'
FW: TDS Petition
Importance:High
Hi All,
Below is our request to withdraw the TDS EAS petition. Please note that they are very
interested in the unlimited long distance plan being rolled out - so hopefully we can get
that going as quickly as possible. Good work all and thanks so much for all your input!
Carolee
-----
Original Message-----From: Don Kerby (mail to: dkerby~westernapp. com)
Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2005 2:39 PM
To: Carolee Hall
Subj ect: TDS petition
Carolee,
After our conversation 2 weeks ago, I talked to several of the signers on
the petition. The all had been wondering what had happened with it. At any
rate, they were all enthused to hear that unlimited long distance at a
reasonable rate was a possibility. So, on that basis, we will withdraw ourpeti tion.
I do not know if you can use this as leverage in any way, but if you can , do
something to "encourage" TDS to do something ASAP. I have told these people
what you told me -- that effective 4-2005 they would be offered Unlimited
Long Distance for $34.40 per month.
Please feel free to call (work 208.746.9891) if you have questions.
Don Kerby
19315 Kerby Lane
Lenore ID 83501