20030729Comments.pdf

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JOHN R. HAMMOND
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone]
IDAHO BARNO. 5470
ZOG3 JUL 29 rf"I: 50
UTlL !1 IES CCi'1i':fisSION
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 WWASHINGTON
BOISE ID 83702-5983
Attorney for the Commission Staff
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF
HIGH TECH TELEPHONES, INC. FOR A
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE
AND NECESSITY TO PROVIDE LOCAL
EXCHANGE SERVICES IN IDAHO.COMMENTS OF THE
COMMISSION STAFF
CASE NO. GNR-O3-
COMES NOW the Staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, by and through its
Attorney of record, John R. Hammond, Deputy Attorney General, in response to Order No.
29283 , the Notice of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure in Case No. GNR-03-
issued on July 8 2003, submits the following comments on High Tech Telephones Application
for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).
BACKGROUND
On January 8 2003 High Tech Telephones (High Tech; Company) filed an Application
for a CPCN in order to provide basic local exchange services in Idaho. The Company states that
it is a non facilities-based reseller oflocal exchange services, inter-exchange private lines, access
to long distance services and custom calling features. The Company also states that it intends to
be facilities based provider as well. High Tech intends to initially provide service in Qwest
Corporation s southern Idaho exchanges of Boise, Nampa, Meridian and Caldwell. Currently,
STAFF COMMENTS JULY 29, 2003
the Company does not have any interconnection agreements with other carriers but intends to
begin negotiating one as soon as it can obtain its CPCN. High Tech is organized and
incorporated in the State ofldaho and obtained a Certificate of Authority from Idaho s Secretary
of State on December 24, 2002. The Company maintains an office in Boise, Idaho.
ST AFF REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION
Staff has reviewed the Application submitted by High Tech and believes that it provides
sufficient grounds upon which the Commission could grant the Company a CPCN. Staff also
believes the Company understands and will comply with the Commission s Rules and
requirements. In addition, Staff has reviewed the Company s financials and believes that
although the Company has a relatively small budget, it has demonstrated positive net income in
2002. In addition, the Company states that it will establish an escrow account with a local bank
in the event that customer deposits are required.
Based on Staffs review of High Tech's Application, Staff believes the Company s filing
satisfies all the requirements of the Commission s Rules and Procedural Order No. 26665. Staff
also believes that the public interest would be served by the issuance of this Certificate, first, by
maintaining and enhancing competition in the local exchange market place in Idaho, and second
by increasing customer choice. Accordingly, Staffrecommends approval of the Application for
Certificate of Public Convenience.
Respectfully submitted this cf'-day of July 2003.
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Technical Staff: Doug Cooley
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STAFF COMMENTS JULY 29 2003
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
HEREBY CERTIFY THAT I HAVE THIS 29TH DAY OF JULY 2003
SERVED THE FOREGOING COMMENTS OF THE COMMMISSION STAFF, IN
CASE NO. GNR-03-, BY MAILING A COpy THEREOF, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO
THE FOLLOWING:
DENIS LAMAR
PRESIDENT
HIGH TECH TELEPHONES INC
10350 W RHETT
BOISE ID 83709
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RET Y
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE