27264.docx

(text box: 1)BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF QUINTELCO, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO PROVIDE LOCAL EXCHANGE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE, PRIVATE LINE TELECOMMUNI­CATION SERVICE WITHIN IDAHO.
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CASE NO. GNR-T-97-13

ORDER NO.  27264
On July 11, 1997, Quintelco, Inc. filed an Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide local telephone service in the state of Idaho.  The Application states that Quintelco, a New York based telecommunications provider, has no facilities within the state of Idaho, but intends to subscribe to and resell all forms of local telephone services to residential and business customers throughout the state.
On October 14, 1997, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure.  During the comment period, comments were filed by the Commission Staff and the Idaho Telephone Association.  Noting that Quintelco represented that it intended to provide service throughout the entire state, the ITA requested that any certificate authority granted to Quintelco be made subject to rural telephone company exemptions provided by law.  Quintelco subsequently revised its Application to restrict its service to the local exchanges served by U S WEST Communications, Inc., Citizens Telecom and GTE Northwest Incorporated.
In its comments, the Commission Staff noted that Quintelco is a new company but is also a subsidiary of Quintel Entertainment, Inc., a provider of telephone entertainment services such as psychic readings, horoscopes, etc. which are typically accessed through 900 numbers.  Quintelco specifically indicated in its Application that it will comply with all Commission rules and provided an illustrative tariff that demonstrates an understanding of tariffing requirements and processes.  Staff accordingly recommended approval of the Quintelco Application.
COMMISSION FINDINGS
Based on our review of the record we find that the Application of Quintelco, Inc. complies with Procedural Order No. 26665 and the Commission’s Rules to obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.  We therefore approve Quintelco’s Application for a Certificate to provide local exchange service only in the territories served by U S WEST, Citizens and GTE.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Quintelco, Inc. is granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide local telecommunications service in the service areas of U S WEST, Citzens, and GTE.  Quintelco must submit a map showing the areas it will serve so that the Certificate can be issued.
THIS IS A FINAL ORDER.  Any person interested in this Order (or in issues finally decided by this Order) or in interlocutory Orders previously issued in this Case No. GNR-T-97-13 may  petition for reconsideration within twenty-one (21) days of the service date of this Order with regard to any matter decided in this Order or in interlocutory Orders previously issued in this Case No.  GNR-T-97-13.  Within seven (7) days after any person has petitioned for reconsideration, any other person may cross-petition for reconsideration.  See Idaho Code § 61-626.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this                  day of December 1997.
                                                                                                                                      DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT
                                                                                           RALPH NELSON, COMMISSIONER

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
vld/O:GNR-T-97-13.ws
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Service Date
December 17, 1997