960712.docx

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER NELSON
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER HANSEN
MYRNA WALTERS
TONYA CLARK
DON HOWELL
STEPHANIE MILLER
DAVE SCHUNKE
EILEEN BENNER
JOE CUSICK
BIRDELLE BROWN
GARY RICHARDSON
WORKING FILE
FROM:WELDON STUTZMAN
DATE:JULY 12, 1996
RE:AT&T’S REQUEST FOR A HEARING ON GTE TARIFF ADVICE NO. 96-09 TO ADD RATES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR INTRALATA EQUAL ACCESS; CASE NO.  GTE-T-96-1
On May 22, 1996, GTE Northwest Incorporated filed Tariff Advice No. 96-09 to provide rates, terms and conditions for implementation of intraLATA equal access for its northern Idaho service area.  GTE proposed an effective date of June 24, 1996, and the Commission issued Order No. 26459 suspending the proposed effective date.  On June 11, 1996, the Commission issued a Notice of Modified Procedure providing for a 45-day comment period, but also asking that any interested party requesting a hearing do so within 21 days.  On July 2, 1996, AT&T Communications filed a request for hearing.  AT&T requests that a hearing be conducted to determine (1) whether GTE’s business office practices are competitively neutral, (2) whether GTE’s rates and charges result in excessive cost recovery, (3) the details for the methods of conversion and technical conversion capability, and (4) whether presubscription for payphones is included in the intraLATA dialing parity conversion schedule.
The issues identified by AT&T for a hearing approach the scope of a full rate case.  Staff last conducted an audit of GTE based on calendar year 1994.  Staff recommends that if the Commission determines to hold a hearing regarding the tariff advice, the issues be limited to those closely identified to the tariff.  
Commission Decision
Should a hearing be scheduled to consider GTE’s Tariff Advice No.  96-09?
Weldon Stutzman
vld/M:GTE-T-96-1.ws