20120629Farmers Mutual Telephone Company.pdf

RECEIVED
Farmers Mutual Telephone Comp412 JUH 29 PM 2: 48
P0 Box 1030
Fruitland, ID 83619
June 22, 2012
Ms. Jean Jewell
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 West Washington Street
Boise, ID 83720
UTILI1TSCOMIS1O
(;nR7 1-0 47
RE: State Certification of Farmers Mutual Telephone Company, Inc. in Idaho for Federal
Universal Service Support
Dear Ms. Jewell,
Farmers Mutual Telephone Company, Inc. ("the Company" or "Farmers") hereby requests
certification by Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") to the Federal
Communications Commission ("FCC") and the Universal Service Administrative Corporation
("USAC") for universal service support, in accordance with 47 U.S.C. 254(e). Farmers, Study
Area Code 472221, is a rural incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) as designated by the
FCC, and is eligible to receive federal universal service high-cost support pursuant to the Code
of Federal Regulations ("CFR"), Title 47, Sections 54.301, 54.305, and Part 36, sub-part F.
In accordance with the PUG's order No. 29841 in case No. WST-T-05-1, Farmers submits the
following information in support of this request.
Section 1: Eligible Telecommunication Carrier Information
Date of ETC Annual Report: July 2, 2012
Company Name: Farmers Mutual Telephone Company, Inc.
Address: 319 SW 3rd St
Fruitland, ID 83619
Company Contact Person/Title: Daniel E. Greig, General Manager
Telephone Number: 208.452.2000
Email Address: [e-mail]
Service Area Code (SAC): 472221
Number of Idaho Telephone Service Assistance Program (ITSAP) recipients: 118
ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER (ETC) ANNUAL
RE-CERTIFICATION
CONTENTS
Section 1: ETC Information
Section 2: Description of Carrier's Local Usage Plan
Section 3: Detailed Outage Information
Section 4: Unfulfilled Service Requests
Section 5: Customer Complaints
Section 6: Service Quality and Consumer Protection Certification
Section 7: Ability to Remain Functional in an Emergency
Sectiori8: Federal USF High-Cost Support Certification
Section 9: Two-Year Network Improvement Plan and Progress Report
Section 10: ETC References and Reporting Instructions
Section 2: Description of Carrier's Local Usage Plan--
Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (CETC) Only
ETC applicants must demonstrate that their usage plan is comparable to the ILEC(s) in the service areas for
which it seeks designation. C.F. R. § 54.202(a) (4). Local Usage Plan may be a descriptive narrative of the carrier's
basic usage plan or it may be a copy of ILEC(s) tariff sheets as filed with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.
N/A - Farmers is not a CETC carrier
Section 3: Detailed Outage Information §54.313(a)(2)
Provide detailed information on any outage, as that term is defined in 47 C.F.R. § 4.5, of at least thirty (30)
minutes in duration for each service area in which an ETC is designated for any facilities it owns, operates, leases
or otherwise uses that potentially affect (a) at least ten percent of the end users served in a designated service
area; or (b) a 9-1-1 special faculty, as defined in 47 C.F.R. § 4.5(e). Specifically, the annual report must include
information detailing: (a) the date and time of onset of the outage; (b) a brief description of the outage and its
resolution; (c) the steps taken to prevent a similar situation in the future; and (0 the number of customers affected.
Reporting period is January 1, 2011—December 31, 2011. See Order No. 29841, page 18.
Number of outages: None
Additional outage information:
Section 4: Unfulfilled Service Requests §54.313(a)(3)
Provide the number of requests for service from potential customers within the ETC'S service area(s) that were
unfulfilled in the previous year (January 1, 2011—December 31, 2011). The ETC shall also detail how it
attempted to provide service to those potential customers. See Order No. 29841, page 19.
The number of unfulfilled service requests from potential customers within the ETC's service
area: None
Additional information: N/A
Section 5: Customer Complaints §54313(a)(4)
Provide the number of complaints per 1,000 handsets or lines for the previous year (January 1, 2011—
December 31, 2011)
The number of customer complaints per 1,000 handset or working access lines: None
Additional information: N/A
Section 6: Service Quality and Consumer Protection Certification
§54.313(a)(5)
Provide certification that the carrier is complying with applicable service quality standards and consumer
protection rules.
Farmers certifies that it is in compliance with the applicable service quality standards
and consumer protection rules of the FCC and the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.
Please see the attached affidavit of corporate officer. Farmers is devoted to providing
high-quality service to our customers, including prompt, responsive, and thorough
customer service.
Section 7: Ability to Remain Functional in Emergencies Certification
§54.313(a)(6)
ETCs must demonstrate that it has a reasonable amount of back-up power to ensure functionality without an
external power source, is able to re-route traffic around damaged facilities, and is capable of managing traffic
spikes resulting from emergency situations.
Farmers is well suited to remain functional during emergencies, or in response to
damaged facilities, or spikes in network traffic. Farmers has taken significant steps to
ensure that its network will remain functional without an external power source. Farmers
has a backup power generator at each of its central offices.
Section 8: Federal USF High-Cost Support Certification §54.313, §54.314
Pursuant to FCC regulations, in order for ETCs to continue to receive federal USF, the Commission "must file an
annual certification with the USA and the [FCC] stating that all federal high-cost support provided to such
carriers within that State will be used only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services
for which the support is intended."
NOTE: See "Example A" Affidavit of Business or Corporate Officer for the above certification
requirements.
E
AFFIDAVIT OF BUSIF4E
rp
I The Idaho Public U
to
Idaho will be used only for the provisiôr,... hte .0
support is intended Accordingly, the undersigned 8ateS ai
1 I am an officer of Farmers Mutual Telephone Com
carrier for receiving federal unWerSl servIce suppo
of 1996 in the state of Idaho
2 I am familiar with the Company's day4o-day operat
quality standards and consumer protOctofl rules as
3. Farmers Mutual Telephone Company is complying
consumer protection rules of the Federal Communi
Commisskn.
4, I certify to the Commission that the Company is abl
Commission Order No. 29841 and in 47 C.F.R. § 5
IN
t.
I
Section 9: Two-Year Network Improvement Plan and Progress Report
The annual report must include a progress report on the carrier's two-year service quality improvement plan,
including maps detailing its progress toward meeting the plan targets, an explanation of how much universal
service support was received and how it was used to improve signal quality, coverage, or capacity, and an
explanation regarding any network improvement targets that have not been fulfilled. This information shall be
submitted at the wire center level. The annual report must also include an updated two-year network
improvement plan indicating plans for future investment.
Two-Year Network Improvement Plan Format
The receipt of USF funding helps ensure that Farmers' customers will continue to
receive reliable, high-quality, state-of-the-art service. From July 1, 2012 to June 30,
2014, Farmers will continue to utilize USF funds to maintain, upgrade, and improve its
network and cover its operating expenses as necessary to permit it to offer a high level
of service to its customers. The following is a description of how USF funds have been
and will be employed for each of Farmers' two wire centers:
For the period of 2011 through June 2012, Farmers' operating expenses for the entire
network were $4,973,327. During that same period, Farmers' investments and capital
expenditures were $292,432. These amounts include investments in the following
projects that were intended to improve the signal quality, coverage and capacity in
Farmers' exchange: (1) replace old copper facilities with FTTH (fiber to the home) (2)
upgrade switching equipment technology; (3) line extension to new homes; (4) upgrade
remote sites. The projects mentioned above cannot be specifically linked to particular
funding sources. However, support from the universal service fund of $1,254,654 in
2011 provided critical funding that, when combined with other funding sources, allowed
Farmers to pursue these investments throughout the exchange.
In order to continue providing high-quality, reliable, state-of-the-art telecommunications
services to customers in the Farmers exchange, Farmers will incur ongoing operating
expenses, maintenance expenses, and expenses related to system upgrades and
improvements. Farmers' total operating expenses from July 1, 2012 through June 30,
2014 are projected to be approximately $6,383,738. These expenses include the
amounts necessary to maintain the facilities the facilities throughout Farmers' service
areas, as well as the administrative and other operating expenses required to provide
service to customers each of Farmers' exchanges.
In addition to these operating expenses, Farmers expects to invest approximately
$2,480,000 from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2014 to improve and expand its
network.
Each of the aforementioned expenses and investments will be incurred to maintain and
provide telecommunications services to any customer or prospective customer making
a reasonable request for service within Farmers' exchanges. These expenses and
investments are designed to bring high-quality, reliable voice services to customers.
However, given the nature of modern telecommunications facilities, the operating
expenses and investment in Farmers' network also facilitate customers' access to
broadband. Farmers' anticipated operating expenses and investments from July 1,
2012 through June 30, 2014 will allow Farmers' customers to continue to benefit from
high-quality, reliable, state-of-the-art services to customers, including those in Farmers'
exchanges.
The capital investment and operating expenses outlined above cannot be specifically
linked to particular funding sources. However, high-cost support from the USF will
provide critical funding that, when combined with other funding sources, will cover
Farmers' operating expenses incurred in providing service throughout the exchange.
Section 10: ETC References and Reporting Instructions
ETC Designation. Reporting, and Certification Requirements.
Statutory Designation Requirements:
1.Common Carrier—ETC applicant must be a "common carrier" as defined in 47 U.S.C. §
153(10).
2.Provide the Universal Services set forth in 47 C.F.R. § 54.101(a).
3.Lifeline Advertisement. See 47 U.S.C. § 214(e)(1)(B).
4.Public Interest. See 47 C.F.R. § 54.202(c).
For over 100 years, Farmers has provided high-quality
telecommunications service that promotes the public interest,
convenience, and necessity. Farmers is dedicated to meeting its
customers' needs for reliable, state-of-the-art telecommunications
services. Farmers will continue to direct resources to maintaining the high
quality of service provided by its existing network, and by its existing
processes. In light of Farmers' longstanding record of outstanding past
service, and its plans to continue upgrading, improving, and maintaining
its network for the benefit of its customers, there is no doubt that Farmers'
status as an ETC is consistent with the public interest, convenience, and
necessity.
5.Tribal Notification. See 47 C.F.R. § 54.202(d).
• Farmers' service territory does not include tribal lands, as such, this
requirement is inapplicable.
Additional Eligibility Requirements (Commission Order No. 29841):
1. The Commitment and Ability to Provide Supported Services.
• Provide service on a timely basis to requesting customers within Farmers'
service area where Farmers' network already passes the potential
customer's premises.
Provide service within a reasonable period of time, if the potential
customer is within Farmers' licensed service area but outside its existing
network coverage, if service can be provided at reasonable cost, and in
accordance with Farmers' policies. Service will be extended to these
potential customers using the technological mechanisms that are most
appropriate given the type of service that Farmers is providing, and in light
of the features of Farmers' existing network.
Farmers advertise the availability of its service offerings using media of
general distribution such as the Internet, newspaper, coupon mailings,
brochures and billboards. [Examples will be furnished upon request]
2.The Ability to Remain Functional in Emergencies.
3.A Commitment to Consumer Protection and Service. Wireline companies must follow
Idaho Customer Relation Rules IDAPA 31.41.01. Wireless companies must agree and
comply with the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association's Consumer
Code for Wireless Service (CTIA Code).
4.Description of a local usage plan comparable to that of the Incumbent local exchange
carrier.
Reporting Requirements (Commission Order No. 29841):
1.Two-Year Network Improvement Plan & Progress Report (July 1, 2012—June 30, 2014)
2.Outages
3.Unfulfilled Service Requests
4.Customer Complaints
5.Service Quality and Consumer Protection certification
6.Ability to remain functional in an emergency certification
Use of Federal High Cost Fund Certification Requirement
References and Filing Instructions
FCC Report and Order 05-46
Idaho Commission Order No. 29841
Idaho Telephone Customer Relations Rules: IDAPA 31.41.01
IPUC Rules of Procedure: Information Exempt From Public Review—Definitions-
Form—Procedures.
Instructions: Company documents and forms may be attached to comply with any of the
reporting sections.
To comply with the certification requirements, the company may use the
sample affidavit attached as "Example A" or one of its own. The affidavit
must certify the company's: 1) appropriate use of federal universal support
funds, 2) compliance with service quality and customer protection
provisions, and, 3) ability to remain functional in an emergency.
Due Date: September 1 of each year. The 2011 report is due by 5PM, MDT on
July 2, 2012.
Submit one (1) copy to: Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Commission Secretary
472 W. Washington
P0 Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
Or email to: iean.iewel1(puc.idaho.gov
Questions/Comments: Grace Seaman
IPUC Utilities Analyst
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Email: grace.seaman(ipuc.idaho.gov
ROW FORMAT OF
DATA ELEMENT REQUESTED DATA
1 Carrier Study Area Code 6 numeric digits
2 Carrier Study Area Name alpha characters
3 Service Provider Identification Number 9 numeric digits
4 Residential Local Service Charge Effective Date mm/dd/yyyy
5 Contact Name alpha characters
6 Contact Telephone Number (include area code) 9 numeric digits
7 Sheet Number numeric digit(s)
8 Total Number of Sheets numeric digit(s)
RESPONSE
472221
FARMERS MUTUAL TEL CO LTD. - ID
143002514
06/01/2012
Greig, Daniel E
208-452-2000
Rate Floor Data Collection - OMB Control Number 3060-0986
Block I - Contact Information
Block 2- Residential Local Service Rates, Fees and Line Counts
Column 2 State
Subscriber Line
Column 1 Residential Local Service Charge Charge
9 0.00 0.00
Column 4
Manditory
Extended
Column 3 State Universal Area Service Column 5
Service Fee Charge Loops
0.00 0.00