19970116Order No 26762.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED IN TARIFF ADVICE 96-15 TO REVISE TOLL RATES AND INTRODUCE TWO NEW INTRALATA CALLING PLANS
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
CASE NO. GTET971

ORDER NO. 26762

On November 19, 1996, this Commission received Tariff Advice 96-15 from GTE Northwest Incorporated requesting authority to revise toll rates and introduce two new intraLATA calling rate plans effective February 11, 1997. After reviewing the Tariff Advice, we make the following Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order:

FINDINGS OF FACT
I
GTE has submitted a proposed schedule of rates and charges for telephone service to become effective on and after February 11, 1997. The Tariff Advice is of sufficient importance and complexity to require the Commission's investigation of the reasonableness of the proposed toll rates and intraLATA calling plans.
II
The Commission will be unable to consider the Tariff Advice in Case No. GTE-T-97-1 before February 11, 1997, because of the complexity of the evidence presented by the Tariff Advice and because of the previously scheduled hearings and other demands on the Commissions time.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
I
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over GTE and its Tariff Advice by virtue of Title 61, Idaho Code and the Rules of Procedure of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, IDAPA 31.01.01 et. seq.

II
The Commission has authority under Idaho Code  61-622 to suspend the rates that are subject of the Tariff Advice for a period of thirty (30) days plus five (5) months from the proposed effective date of February 11, 1997.
III
It is necessary to suspend the rate in this Tariff Advice for a period of thirty (30) days plus five (5) months from the effective date of February 11, 1997, to allow the Commission to hear the evidence to be presented in this matter and to consider and determine the issues presented in this Tariff Advice.

O R D E R
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the proposed schedule of rates and charges for telephone service in Case No. GTE-T-97-1 should be, and hereby is, suspended for a period of thirty (30) days plus five (5) months from February 11, 1997, or until such time as the Commission may issue an Order accepting or rejecting or modifying the Tariff Advice in this matter.

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho, this day of January 1997.

RALPH NELSON, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

DENNIS S. HANSEN, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

MYRNA J. WALTERS
COMMISSION SECRETARY

bls/O:gtet971.sus

ORDER NO. 26762 -1-

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
January 16, 1997