20040308Press Release.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
For Immediate Release
Case No. GNR-04-1 and INL-04-
March 4, 2004
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]
Website: www.puc.state.id.
Telephone companies seek delays in number portability
Boise - An association representing 16 rural Idaho telephone companies is asking the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission to grant a six-month delay to implement number portability in their respective service areas.
Number portability allows wireline customers to switch to wireless phones without changing numbers. Wireless.
customers switching to another wireless company would also be able to retain their number.
The Federal Communications Commission ordered that all local exchange telephone companies have number
portability in place by May 24. However, the FCC also said local exchange carriers with fewer than 2 percent of the
nation s subscriber lines can petition their state commissions for a six-month suspension.
The Idaho companies asking for the extension include Albion Telephone Company, Cambridge Telephone Company,
Filer Mutual Telephone Company, Custer Telephone Cooperative, Farmers Mutual Telephone Company, Filer
Mutual Telephone Company, Midvale Telephone Company, Mud Lake Telephone Cooperative Association, Project
Mutual Telephone Cooperative Association, Direct Communications - Rockland, Rural Telephone Company, Silver
Star Telephone Company, Columbine Telephone Company, Oregon-Idaho Utilities, Rural Network Services, Inc.
CTC Telephone, Fretel Communications and Fremont Telecom.
Inland Telephone Company, with customers in rural areas northeast of Lewiston, filed a separate petition, also
seeking a six-month extension.
The member companies of the Idaho Telephone Association say they are pursuing an economically and technically
feasible way to provide number portability, but that a system upgrade is required. The companies claim that waiting
until the technology is complete will avoid significant adverse economic impact on their customers.
Inland says the cost to upgrade its switch will be about $400 000. It has not yet received a request for number
portability.
All the companies say they will have number portability in place no later than Nov. 24.
The commission will take written comment on the Idaho Telephone Association petition through March 12 and on
the Inland Telephone petition through March 16.
Persons wishing to submit comments can do so via e-mail by accessing the commission s homepage at
www.puc.state.id.and clicking on "Comments & Questions." Fill in the case number (GNR-04-1 for Idaho
Telephone Association and INL-04-1 for Inland Telephone Company) and enter your comments. Comments can
also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ill 83720-0074 or faxed to [phone].
END