20160715Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM

TO: COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL

FROM: BRANDON KARPEN
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL

DATE: JULY 13, 2016

SUBJECT: 208 AREA CODE RELIEF PLAN, CASE NO. GNR-T-15-06

On July 21, 2015, Neustar, Inc.1 filed an Application seeking Commission approval to
implement a “Relief Plan” for the 208 area code, which has been projected to run out of available
numbers in mid-2018. Neustar proposes the addition of a new area code overlaying the
geographic area currently served by the 208 area code, with a 16-month implementation period.
The plan calls for a new area code designation on new numbers assigned in Idaho, and will
require 10-digit dialing for all local telephone calls. The new area code will not require any
changes to current numbers and will not impact rates.
On November 2, 2015, the Commission issued a final Order adopting the proposed
plan of adding a new area code over the current 208 area. Order No. 33414. Specifically, the
Commission considered the alternatives and after due consideration approved implementation of
the proposed overlay relief plan and 16-month implementation schedule. Id. The Commission
further ordered that Staff “participate with the Industry and Neustar in the generation of media
releases, customer education, community involvement, and public workshops to ensure the rapid
and equitable implementation of the plan with adequate customer education.” Id. at 7. Soon
after, Neustar issued Idaho the new area code: 986.
Consistent with direction from the Commission, Staff now seeks to convene five area
code public workshops. The purpose of the workshops are to provide information to the public

1 Neustar appears before the Commission in its capacity as administrator of the North American Numbering Plan,
and on behalf of the Idaho telecommunications industry.
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
as to why a second area code has become necessary, to inform customers of the deadlines to
implement the second area code, and to ease the transition for residential and business customers
to 10-digit dialing. Because the Commission has already made its final determination regarding
the relief plan and implementation timeline, these sessions will be informational in nature, and
not an opportunity to discuss alternatives.
Staff has proposed the following schedule and location for the informational
workshops:

Lewiston, Idaho – Wednesday, August 10, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.
Nez Perce County Commission Building, 1424 Main Street
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – Thursday, August 11, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.
Driftwood Bay Room, Student Union Building, North Idaho College,
100 W. Garden Avenue
Pocatello, Idaho – Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.
The Newberry Building, 160 North Main Street
Twin Falls, Idaho – Wednesday, September 28, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers, 305 3rd Avenue East
Boise, Idaho – Tuesday October 4, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Hearing Room, 472 West Washington

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Commission issue a Notice of Workshops consistent with
the foregoing schedule.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue a Notice of Workshops consistent with the
foregoing schedule?

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