20040826Press Release.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Case No. GNR-04-
August 26, 2004
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone]
Website: www.puc.state.id.
Commission to hear oral arguments in Qwest-Soldiers Meadow case
Boise - The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will take up oral arguments on Sept. 13 on a
motion by Qwest Corporation to dismiss a complaint from some Nez Perce County residents.
Residents of the Soldiers Meadow Reservoir area want Qwest to extend landline service to their
properties. Qwest maintains that because Soldiers Meadows is not in the telephone company
assigned service area, it is not obligated to serve the customers unless they are willing to pay the
approximate $7 800 per customer to extend the service.
Commission staff surveyed residents of Soldiers Meadow, an unincorporated area of primarily
vacation homes, to measure interest in landline service into the area. Nineteen of 22 surveyed
were interested in service. Seven said they were not willing to pay for the extension, six said they
would pay up to $200 and another six said they would pay up to $1 000. Qwest estimates
construction costs would be at least $180 000. Qwest states it is willing to provide service only if
the potential customers agree to pay for installation.
Soldiers Meadow residents believe they should be allowed service without installation charges
since residents of Forest, about four miles away, receive service. Qwest alleges that Forest is in
its certificated service territory, while Soldiers Meadow is not.
The oral arguments, scheduled for Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. (2 p.m. Pacific Standard Time), will address
only Qwest's motion to dismiss the Soldiers Meadow complaint. Oral argument will take place
at the commission hearing room 472 W. Washington St. in Boise. To accommodate Soldiers
Meadow residents, a conference call location will be set up in the back conference room of the
Lewiston City Hall, 1134 F St. The commission will place a call to the Lewiston location. At that
time, Qwest will present its argument and then residents of Soldiers Meadow will be given an
opportunity to respond.
Documents related to this case, including those from Qwest as well from Soldiers Meadow
residents, can be accessed on the commission s Web site at www.puc.state.id.. Click on "File
Room " then on "Telecommunications Cases " and scroll down to Case No. GNR- T -04-
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