HomeMy WebLinkAboutMODPROC.docxBEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM PLANNING AND DESIGN CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES BEFORE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, THE RURAL UTILITY SERVICE.
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CASE NO. GNR-T-96-1
NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUBMIT PLAN
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE HEREBY GIVEN NOTICE that the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service (RUS), formally known as the Rural Electrification Administration, the agency in charge of administering electrical and telephone loan programs, is soliciting from each state Public Utilities Commission a “state telecommunication modernization plan” (STMP; modernization plan). This modernization plan would provide for the improvement of the state’s telecommunications network and will be the guideline for distributing loans to all telecommunications RUS borrowers. RUS finalized its rules and regulations to comply with the Rural Electrification Loan Restructuring Act of 1993 (RELRA). RUS requires that before any company can qualify for a loan, the state must have an approved modernization plan. RUS requires each state to file an STMP by February 13, 1996.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC; Commission) plans to file the attached STMP with the RUS by February 13, 1996. Before filing the attached STMP, the Commission would like input from telecommunication providers and interested parties to incorporate their views into the modernization plan. Because of the short period to submit Idaho’s modernization plan to RUS, comments are due with the Idaho PUC on February 8, 1996.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that RUS rules outline the goals and requirements to implement the telecommunication modernization plan for loan borrowers. These rules are broken down into short and medium-term requirements and long-term goals. Each STMP must follow the guidelines set forth by the RUS. The guidelines are summarized as follows:
Short-term requirements: (starts one year after RUS approves the STMP)
1) All new facilities providing wire line service must be constructed so that every subscriber can receive one-party service, and so that the transmission and reception of data can be provided at a rate of at least 1 Mb/sec;
2) Switching equipment installed after the start date must be capable of providing customer calling features and E911 service when requested by the government responsible for this service.
Medium-term requirements: (starts six years after RUS approves the STMP)
1) All new facilities providing wire line service must be capable of transmitting video to a subscriber. The plan developer can determine the frame rate resolution and other details;
2) All switching equipment must be capable of providing E911 service when requested by the government responsible for this service;
3) One-party service must be provided upon demand to any subscriber no later than five years after the starting date of the medium-term requirements (11 years after the RUS approves the STMP).
Long-term goals: (the RUS suggests but does not require that the STMP accomplish these goals; there is no starting date).
1) Elimination of party-line service;
2) Universal availability of the following services for subscribers that desire them: digital voice and data service (56 - 164 kb/sec), transmission and reception of high - bit rate data (no less than 1 Mb/sec), and reception of video.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the public interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter and will proceed under Modified Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission's Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201 through -.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this plan may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission by February 8, 1996. The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting the comment. Written comments concerning this application shall be mailed to the Commission at the address reflected below:
COMMISSION SECRETARY
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W WASHINGTON ST
BOISE, IDAHO 83702-5983
These comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments are received within the time limit set, the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and enter its Order without a formal hearing. If written comments are received within the time limit set, the Commission will consider them and, in its discretion, may set the same for formal hearing.
DATED at Boise, Idaho this day of January 1996.
Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
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