20031226Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL STAFF
FROM:WELDON STUTZMAN
DATE:DECEMBER 26, 2003
RE:CASE NO. QWE-Ol-ll
QWEST'S MOTION FOR APPROV AI- OF NEGOTIATED UNE RATES
On November 12, 2003, Qwest filed two motions in this case, the first was a Motion
to Withdraw and Substitute Testimony, the second was a Motion for Approval of Negotiated
Rates.By its second motion, Qwest asked the Commission to approve rates for specific
unbundled network elements (ONEs) identified in Attachment A to its motion. Qwest stated that
the UNEs and their proposed rates in Attachment A resulted from lengthy negotiations involving
primarily Qwest and Staff, and are considered "non-controversial." On December 4, 2003, the
Commission issued a Notice of Motion for Approval of Negotiated Rates and Notice of Modified
Procedure to process Qwest's motion. During the comment period, written comments were filed
only by the Commission Staff.
As Qwest noted in its motion, Staff agreed to the specific UNE rates identified in
Attachment A to Qwest's motion. Staff considers those UNEs and their rates to be non-
controversial in that they are typically products that are not frequently ordered by competitors.
In addition, the rates are consistent with the UNE rates charged by Qwest and other Bell
Operating Companies in other states. Staff noted in its comments that the proposed rates are
based on a total element long-run incremental cost (TELRIC) methodology, using inputs to the
models that Staff considers to be within a range of reasonableness.
Staff recommends the Commission issue an order approving the UNE rates identified
in Attachment A to Qwest's motion.
DECISION MEMORANDUM
Commission Decision
Should the Commission issue an order approving the specific UNE rates identified in
Attachment A to Qwest's motion?
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Weldon Stutzman
VldIM:QWETOI 1 l ws2
DECISION MEMORANDUM