weber_dh.doc

October 10, 2000

Elizabeth M. Weber, Paralegal
Qwest Corporation
Policy and Law Department
1600 – 7th Avenue, Room 3206
Seattle, WA 98191

Re: Amendments to Interconnection Agreements

Dear Ms. Weber:

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission recently received your transmittal letter dated September 25, 2000, in IPUC Case No. USW-T-00-5. This transmittal letter accompanied Amendment No. 3 to the interconnection agreement entered into between Integra Telecom of Idaho and Qwest. Your transmittal letter recites that it is your understanding that “amendments to previously approved interconnection agreements do not need to be approved by the Commission.”

Contrary to this statement, the Commission has and will continue to approve amendments and changes to interconnection agreements. I apologize for any miscommunications which may have resulted in this misunderstanding.

The Commission has recently “streamlined” its processing of interconnection agreements and their amendments. In the future, the Commission Staff will review voluntarily negotiated interconnection agreements and amendments to determine whether they may be discriminatory or contrary to the public interest. Rather than issuing notices and requesting public comment, the Commission will perform this ministerial duty on an ex parte basis. If the agreements or amendments are approved, then the Commission will subsequently issue a written order to the parties and other ILECs/CLECs.

If you have any questions, please contact me at [phone].

Sincerely yours,

Donald L. Howell, II
Deputy Attorney General

Enclosures

cc: Debra Harwood at Integra