971205.docx

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSIONER NELSON
COMMISSIONER SMITH
MYRNA WALTERS
TONYA CLARK
DON HOWELL
STEPHANIE MILLER
JOE CUSICK
DAVE SCHUNKE
DAVID SCOTT
WORKING FILE
FROM:WELDON STUTZMAN
DATE:December 5, 1997
RE:CASE NO. GNR-T-97-13
APPLICATION OF QUINTELCO INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY.
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 service to the exchanges served by U S WEST, Citizens and GTE.
In its comments, the Commission Staff noted that Quintelco is a new company but is 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.  Although unable to trace any specific complaints to Quintel, Staff noted that complaints about 900 entertainment services have increased dramatically in the last few years.  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 recommends approval of the Quintelco Application.
Commission Decision:
Should the Application of Quintelco for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide local exchange telecommunications services within the service territories of U S WEST, Citizens and GTE be approved?

Weldon Stutzman
cm\M:gnrt9713.ws2