staff.doc

CHERI C. COPSEY
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone]
Idaho Bar No. 5142

Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W. WASHINGTON
BOISE, IDAHO 83702-5983

Attorney for the Commission Staff

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF APPLICATION OF CONCERT COMMUNICATIONS SALES, LLC FOR AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE LOCAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN IDAHO. )
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CASE NO. GNR-T-99-5

STAFF COMMENTS

COMES NOW the Staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, by and through its Attorney of record, Cheri C. Copsey, Deputy Attorney General, and submits the following comments in response to the Notice of Modified Procedure dated June 22, 1999, for the Commission’s consideration.
BACKGROUND
On April 26, 1999, Concert Communications Sales, LLC (Concert), a subsidiary of Concert Communications Co., submitted an Application for authority to provide local telecommunications services on a resale basis throughout the state of Idaho. Concert seeks authority to provide a full range of local services in the U S WEST and GTE certificated service areas as a competitive local exchnage carrier (CLEC), reselling services of other certified local exchange carriers. Concert proposes to provide “plain old telephone service,” access services (originating and terminating traffic between customers premises and an IXC point of presence), private line, Internet access services and data transmission service. It proposes to initially provide resale primarily to multinational business customers as part of its international business services. Concert proposes to offer high quality innovative services at competitive rates, thereby increasing competition and leading to better services and more options for multinational customers in Idaho. Concert asserts that its entry into the local services market will not have an adverse impact on universal service goals and will offer affordable services for individual customers.
British Telecom is the parent of Concert Communications Co. which is the parent of the Applicant, Concert. British Telecom is one of the world’s leading providers of fixed and mobile communications services. It supplies local, long distance and international telecommunications services and equipment in the United Kingdom and trough Concert Communications Co. provides managed voice, data and Internet services on a global basis to multinational companies. On July 26, 1998, British Telecom and AT&T announced the intent to form “Global Venture” to serve multinational companies and the international needs of individuals and businesses around the world. Once the agreement is concluded, the Applicant, Concert, will become part of the Global Venture. AT&T and British Telecom will each maintain 50% ownership interest and share control.
The Articles of Incorporation for Concert are filed as if the company is a limited corporation that will be taxed as a partnership. A 1998 Annual Report was filed for British Telecom that discloses revenues in excess of $25 billion. Concert submitted a satisfactory illustrative tariff for local services.
STAFF FINDINGS
The Commissions Rule of Procedure 111, IDAPA 31.01.01.111, and Procedural Order No. 26665, issued November 7, 1996, establish the minimum information that must be included with an Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Staff finds that the information provided by Cncert in its Application and the additional material provided in support of that Application meet these requirements.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission approve the Application.

DATED at Boise, Idaho, this day of July 1999.

_______________________________
Cheri C. Copsey
Deputy Attorney General

Technical Staff: Birdelle Brown

STAFF COMMENTS 3