27277.docx

(text box: 1)BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OFU S WEST NEWVECTOR GROUP, INC. FOR APPROVAL OF AN INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO 47 U.S.C. § 252(e).
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
CASE NO.  GTE-T-97-13
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED
         PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.  27277
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on November 3, 1997, the Commission received an Application from U S WEST Newvector Group, Inc., a commercial mobile radio service (cellphone) provider, for approval of a negotiated interconnection agreement between U S WEST Newvector Group, Inc.and GTE Northwest Incorporated.  The Application states that the agreement was reached through voluntary negotiations without resort to mediation or arbitration and is submitted for approval pursuant to Section 252(e) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application states that the agreement will allow both Newvector and GTE Northwest to interconnect and exchange traffic between their respective end user customers.  The interconnection agreement governs the collocation of certain equipment belonging to Newvector in the premises of GTE Northwest and provides for compensation for transport and termination of traffic and other issues.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that 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.
The Application asserts 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-97-13.  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-97-13 should be mailed to the Commission and the Companies at the addresses reflected below:
COMMISSION SECRETARYROBERT A. MAYNARD
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONPERKINS COIE
PO BOX 83720SUITE 502, 199 N. CAPITOL BLVD.
BOISE, IDAHO  83720-0074BOISE, IDAHO  83702
Counsel for U S WEST Newvector Group, Inc.
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W WASHINGTON STTIMOTHY J. O’CONNELL
BOISE, IDAHO  83702-5983GTE NORTHWEST INC.
P.O. BOX 1003
EVERETT, WA.  98206-1003
Counsel for GTE Northwest Inc.
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 U S WEST Newvector Group, Inc. for approval of an interconnection agreement with U S WEST be processed by Modified Procedure, Commission Rules of Procedure 201-204; IDAPA 31.01.01.201-04.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this                  day of December 1997.
                                                                                                                                      DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT
                                                                                           RALPH NELSON, COMMISSIONER

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
O:gtet9713.cc
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
Text Box 1:
TEXT BOXES
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
December 29, 1997