gnrt991.wsc.doc

WELDON STUTZMAN
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone]
IDAHO BAR NO. 3283

Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W WASHINGTON
BOISE ID 83702-5983

Attorneys for the Commission Staff

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )
OF NEXTLINK IDAHO, INC. FOR ) CASE  NO. GNR-T-99-1
A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC )
CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY. ) COMMENTS OF THE
_________________________________________ ) COMMISSION STAFF

COMES NOW the Staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, by and through its Attorney of record, Weldon B. Stutzman, Deputy Attorney General, in response to Order
No. 28096, the Notice of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure in Case No. GNR-T-99-1 issued on JULY 20, 1999, submits the following comments.

BACKGROUND
On January 14, 1999, NEXTLINK Idaho, Inc. (NEXTLINK) filed an Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) in compliance with Commission Rules of Procedures, IDAPA 31.01.01.111 and Procedural Order No. 26665. NEXTLINK is currently authorized to provide telecommunications service pursuant to Title 62 of the Idaho Code and is seeking authorization to provide local exchange service pursuant to Title 61 to Idaho residences
and businesses. NEXTLINK's authorization to do business was granted on July 25, 1997 via an amended certificate of authority from the Secretary of State's office. The original certificate was granted to ITC, d.b.a. ITC Networks, Inc.
NEXTLINK seeks authorization to provide local exchange services within the U S WEST (North and South) and GTE service areas, more specifically, within the areas of Boise, Idaho Falls, and Coeur d'Alene. In the future, NEXTLINK may provide local service to other areas of the State of Idaho. These services will be offered through a full range of facilities-based and resold exchange services. Currently, NEXTLINK has not obtained any interconnection agreements, but is negotiating with GTE.

DISCUSSION
Staff has reviewed the Application submitted by NEXTLINK and believes that the filing meets the requirements of the Commissions Procedural Order No. 26665, which sets out necessary information to be included with an application for a certificate submitted by a new local exchange provider in Idaho. NEXTLINK has agreed to comply with the Commissions rules and procedures.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff believes that NEXTLINK has complied with all filing requirements for issuing a certificate. Staff recommends approval of NEXTLINK's Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.

Respectfully submitted this day of August 1999.

___________________________
Weldon Stutzman
Deputy Attorney General

Technical Staff: Carolee Hall

WS:CH:gdk:i:word/umisc/comments/gnrt991.wsc

STAFF COMMENTS 2 AUGUST 2, 1999