28305.mod.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR ADOPTION OF THE ARBITRATED INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND NEXTLINK IDAHO, INC. BY AVISTA COMMUNICATIONS OF IDAHO, INC. PURSUANT TO 47 U.S.C.  252(i). )
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CASE NO. GTE-T-00-5

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF MODIFIED
PROCEDURE

ORDER NO.  28305

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on March 3, 2000, GTE Northwest Incorporated (GTE) filed an Application for adoption of the arbitrated interconnection agreement between GTE Northwest Incorporated and Nextlink Idaho, Inc. by Avista Communications of Idaho, Inc. (Avista). The adoption provides terms for the parties to interconnect their facilities, enables Avista to resell GTE’s services and provides Avista access to GTE’s unbundled network elements. This Agreement was reached through voluntary negotiations without resort to mediation or arbitration and is submitted for approval pursuant to 47 U.S.C.  252(e), a provision of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the Act).
Section 252(e)(2) of the Act directs that a state Commission may reject an agreement reached through voluntary negotiations only if the Commission finds that
(i) the agreement (or portions thereof) discriminates against a telecommunications carrier not a party to the agreement; or

(ii) the implementation of such agreement or portion is not consistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity.

GTE and Avista assert that the Agreement does not discriminate against other telecommunication carriers and that it is consistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filings of record in Case No. GTE-T-00-5. The Commission has determined that the public interest may not require a hearing to consider the issues presented and that the issues raised by the Application may be processed under Modified Procedure, i.e., by written submission rather than by hearing. See Commission Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission may not hold a hearing in this proceeding unless it receives written protests or comments opposing the use of Modified Procedure and stating why Modified Procedure should not be used. See IDAPA 31.01.01.203.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission within twenty-one (21) days from the date of this Notice. The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting the comment. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received within the deadline, the Commission will consider the matter on its merits and enter its Order without a formal hearing. If comments or protests are filed within the deadline, the Commission will consider them and in its discretion may set the matter for hearing or may decide the matter and issue its Order on the basis of the written positions before it. See IDAPA 31.01.01.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning Case No. GTE-T-00-5 should be mailed to the Commission and the Companies at the addresses reflected below:
COMMISSION SECRETARY
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074

Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W WASHINGTON ST
BOISE, IDAHO 83702-5983 FRED LOGAN
DIRECTOR-REGULATORY &
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED
17933 NW EVERGREEN PARKWAY
PO BOX 1100
BEAVERTON, OR 97075-1100

SUE LAMB
AVISTA COMMUNICATIONS OF IDAHO, INC.
118 N. STEVENS
SPOKANE, WA 99201
All comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and Agreement together with supporting workpapers, and exhibits have been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held pursuant to the Commission's jurisdiction under Title 61 and Title 62 of the Idaho Code and that the Commission may enter any final Order consistent with its authority under Title 61 or Title 62.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.

O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, upon review of the filings in this case and the determination of the Commission, that the Application of adoption of the arbitrated interconnection agreement between GTE Northwest Incorporated and Nextlink Idaho, Inc. by Avista Communications of Idaho, Inc. be processed by Modified Procedure, Commission Rules of Procedure 201-204; IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
day of March 2000.

DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary

bls/O:gtet005

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 28305 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
March 16, 2000