19981230.docx

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSIONER NELSON
COMMISSIONER SMITH
MYRNA WALTERS
TONYA CLARK
RITA SCOTT
DON HOWELL
STEPHANIE MILLER
JOE CUSICK
WAYNE HART
DAVID SCOTT
WORKING FILE
FROM:BRAD PURDY
DATE:DECEMBER 30, 1998
RE:CASE NO. GNR-T-98-15; APPLICATION OF ADVANCED TELECOM GROUP, INC.  FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO PROVIDE INTRASTATE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN IDAHO
On October 7, 1998, Advanced Telecom Group, Inc. (ATGI) filed an Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide intrastate telecommunications services within the state of Idaho.  ATGI intends to construct a fiber optic network in the Boise area and to provide a full range of telecommunications services to business and residential customers using its own facilities as well as unbundled network elements and the resale of the incumbent local exchange carriers’ facilities.  ATGI identified the existing service areas of U S WEST and GTE as the areas in which it intends to compete.  
On December 7, 1998, the Commission issued a Notice of Modified Procedure soliciting comments in response to ATGI’s Application.  The only party to file comments was the Commission Staff.  Those comments were submitted on December 14, 1998.  
Staff has reviewed the information provided by ATGI in its Application and believes that it satisfies the requirements of Rule 111 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.111, and procedural Order No. 26665 which sets out the necessary information to be included with an Application for a Certificate.
ATGI is headquartered in Los Altos, California and is a Delaware corporation with authority to operate in Idaho.  The Application indicates that the Company initially intends to construct a fiber optic ring network in the Boise area and to extend service from there using expansions to own network as well as leased facilities.  Moreover, based upon the financial information provided by ATGI, Staff believes that the Company has sufficient financial resources to perform the services that it has identified in its Application.  ATGI has provided an illustrative tariff with its Application demonstrating an understanding of tariffing requirements and processes, Staff observed.  Staff recommends that the Commission issue the Certificate sought by ATGI.
Commission Decision
Does the Commission wish to grant ATGI’s Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide local exchange telecommunications services within Idaho?

Brad Purdy
bp2/M:GNR-T-98-15