20180712Application.pdf

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July 12,2018 Sent Via: E-Filing
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Ms. Diane Holt
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, lD 83720-0074
RE: Potlatch Telephone Company d/b/a TDs Telecom Broadband Tax Credit for
January 1,2017 - December 31,2017
Dear Ms. Holt:
Enclosed for filing is the application of Potlatch Telephone Company d/b/a TDS Telecom
for a broadband tax credit for the period of January l, 2017 through December 31, 2017 .
TDS Telecom requests that the Commission find the Company eligible to receive an
Idaho tax credit and that the broadband equipment installed in the state of Idaho during
these years meets the definition of qualified broadband equipment as set forth in Idaho
code 63-3029(3)(b).
1. Name and address of the applicant including a contact person in the event that
there are questions regarding the application and is content.
Gail Long, Manager - State Government Affairs
TDS Telecom
PO Box 1004
Redmond, OR 97756
Gai l. lone(atdstelecom. qqr:q
Phone: [phone] Fax [phone]
2. lndicate whether the applicant is a telecommunications carrier, a commercial
mobile service carrier, a cable or video provider, a satellite carrier or other type
of wireless carrier.
Potlatch Telephone Company is a telecommunications provider.
3. ldentify the area or location where the equipment is installed in ldaho.
PO Box 1004
Redmond, OR 97756
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The equipment is installed in the areas of Juliaetta and Troy, Idaho.
4. Describe the type of broadband services offered to the public in ldaho.
The Company offers Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) services in the State of Idaho.
5. State the network transmission rate in bits per second at which subscribers to
the relevant broadband services can send and receive.
The Company offers products capable of providing up to 5OMbps down which is
double the top speed customers were able to get at year-end 2015. See also
response to 7 below.
6. Provide the specific list of the equipment types that the application is requesting
that the commission determine is "qualified broadband equipment" as defined
in ldaho code 53-30291(3Xb). List the brand, manufacturer, model numbers, and
or other distinguishing features of the installed equipment.
See attached. Note the 2017 investment in DSL cards was needed to enhance
network reliability (monitoring) and subscriber growth.
7. Quantify the percentage and number of potential ldaho customers that could be
served with the broadband equipment and the percentage and number of non-
ldaho subscribers that will be/could be served bythe broadband network.
With these improvements, the broadband will be available to approximately 2,123
service locations as of l2l3ll17 which is an increase of 33 from the prior year.
This is approximately 95oh of the total service locations within the Company's
serving area with 67o/ohaving access to speeds of l5Mbps down or greater and
50% having access to speeds of 25Mbps orbetter. During 2016the Company
began bonding DSL which increased available speeds up to 5OMbps to many of
the service locations. ACAM related builds are currently in process which will
further improve broadband speeds at many locations. There is no benefit to
customers located outside of the State of ldaho.
8. Provide the dates and time periods that the broadband equipment was installed
in ldaho.
The equipment was installed in the period between January 1,2017 and
December 31,2017.
9. Provide a written description (including the basic schematics or general
drawings) of the relevant broadband network including a description of how the
installed equipment is an "integral part" of the broadband network.
PO Box 1004
Redmond, OR 97756
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The equipment installed per the attached list was all placed into service within the
state of Idaho. It is an integral part of a network that permits broadband signaling
to occur.
10. Enclose a statement certifying that the applicant has read the applicable statutes
for broadband investment income tax credit and the applicant believes that the
subject broadband equipment qualifies for the tax credit under ldaho Code 53-
30291.
See attached statement of certification.
The Company respectfully requests this application be approved as filed. If you have
questions or concerns regarding this filing, please contact me at either 541-516-8210 or
gail. lon e(latdstelecorr.com.
Sincerely,
Gail Long
Manager - State Govemment Affairs
Attachment: 2
PO Box 1004
Redmond, OR 97756
Potlatch Telephone Company
2017 Broadband Investment Summary (as of L2l3tl20t7l
Troy TK014304 2077 DSL Demand DSL Card Additions S s,gtg.6Z
Juliaetta TK032704 2017 DSL Demand DSL Card Additions 5.275.01
Total q11o8g63
I DAHO BROADBAND CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that representatives of Potlatch Telephone Company d/b/a TDS Telecom {the applicant)
have read the applicable statutes for the broadband investrnent tax credit, and the applicant believes
that the subject broadband equipment qualifies for the tax credit under ldaho Code 53-30291.
Dated July 1.2,20L8
Gail Long
Manager, State Government Affairs
TDS Telecom