20050706Comments.pdf

ECEIVED
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KIRA DALE PFISTERER
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone]
IDAHO BAR NO. 6571
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TtLiTiES COHMI:JSIOI'1
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W. WASHINGTON
BOISE, ID 83702-5983
Attorney for the Commission Staff
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF
METROPOLITAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS
OF IDAHO, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF
PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO
PROVIDE LOCAL EXCHANGE SERVICES
WITHIN THE STATE OF IDAHO.
CASE NO. MRO-O5-
COMMENTS OF THE
COMMISSION STAFF
COMES NOW the Staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, by and through its
Attorney of record, Kira Dale Pfisterer, Deputy Attorney General, in response to Order No.
29801 , the Notice of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure in Case No. MRO-05-
issued on June 15 2005 , and submits the following comments.
BACKGROUND
On May 6, 2005, Metropolitan Telecommunications of Idaho, Inc. ("MetTel") filed an
Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to provide resold and
facilities-based local exchange telecommunications services in the State of Idaho throughout the
service areas of existing local exchange carriers: Qwest North, Qwest South and Verizon.
ST AFF COMMENTS JULY 6, 2005
STAFF ANALYSIS
Staff has reviewed MetTel's Application and finds that it complies with the
Commission s requirements. Staff reviews all requests for a CPCN certificate pursuant to Idaho
Code ~~ 61-526 through -528 IDAPA 31.01.01.111 and 112 (Rules 111 and 112), and
Procedural Order No. 26665. In order to be issued a CPCN, a public utility must provide the
Commission with the following infonnation: (1) name, address, and form of business; (2) the
date on which the applicant proposes to begin construction or anticipates that it will provide
service, including a written description of customer classes and services proposed to be offered;
(3) the proposed service territory; (4) certain financial infonnation; (5) maps regarding the
proposed service area; (6) a proposed initial tariff and price sheets; (7) contact infonnation; (8)
interconnection agreements if any; (9) an agreement to comply with the Commission s Rules;
and (10) an escrow account with a bonded escrow agent if the company requires advanced
deposits from its customers. Order No. 26665.
MetTel's Application includes all of the required information. MetTel is a Delaware
corporation with its principal office in New York, New York. MetTel is authorized by the Idaho
Secretary of State to transact business within the State of Idaho and has a registered agent for
service in Idaho. MetTel is wholly owned by Metropolitan Telecommunications Holding
Corporation.
MetTel plans to offer resold local and interexchange telecommunications services to both
business and residential customers in Idaho. The Company will provide these services using
unbundled network elements of the Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) except for those
rural ILECs where competitive entry may be prohibited.
Staff believes the Company possesses the requisite financial, managerial, and technical
qualifications necessary to operate as a provider of telecommunications services. In addition
MetTe I agrees to comply with the Commission s Rules and Staff has found that the Company is
cooperative and responsive to Staff's inquiries. Staff reviewed the Company s illustrative price
list and it appears to comport with the Commission s guidelines.
The Company does not anticipate collecting deposits, and therefore requests a waiver of
that portion of Commission Order No. 26665 that requires an Escrow Account be established.
STAFF COMMENTS JUL Y 6, 2005
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff finds that the Company s Application and price list meets the requirements of the
Commissions Rules and Order No. 26665. Therefore, Staff recommends that the Commission
approve the CPCN Application and waive the escrow account requirement until the Company
begins to collect deposits.
Respectfully submitted this t,~day of July 2005.
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Kira Dale Pfiste . r
Deputy Attorney General
Technical Staff: Carolee Hall
i:umisc/comments/mrotO5.1kdpch
STAFF COMMENTS JULY 6, 2005
CERTIFICA TE OF SERVICE
HEREBY CERTIFY THAT I HAVE THIS 6TH DAY OF WLY 2005
SERVED THE FOREGOING COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION STAFF, IN
CASE NO. MRO-05-, BY MAILING A COpy THEREOF POSTAGE PREPAID
TO THE FOLLOWING:
LANCE JM STEINHART PC
1720 WINDWARD CONCOURSE
SUITE 250
ALPHARETT A GA 30005
SECRETARY
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE