20030421min.doc

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
APRIL 21, 2003 – 1:30 P.M.

In attendance were Commissioners Paul Kjellander, Dennis Hansen, and Marsha Smith.

The first order of business was approval of the CONSENT AGENDA items 1--7. There were no questions or discussion. Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to approve the items. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.

The next order of business was MATTERS IN PROGRESS:

Doug Cooley’s April 17, 2003 Decision Memorandum re: Petition of IAT Communications for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier. Case No. GNR-T-03-08.

Mr. Cooley reviewed his Decision Memo. He noted that because this is the first petition of its kind that we have received in Idaho, Staff wanted to bring it to the Commission’s attention in case there are any questions about procedure. Commissioner Smith asked if there had been a problem with the filing since it had been over two months since it was filed. Mr. Cooley replied that there had been no specific problems but there was some research that needed to be done to find out how other states are handling the issue. Commissioner Smith asked if IAT realizes there isn’t any kind of in-state fund for them to get funding from. Mr. Cooley replied that Staff will be including that point in future discussions with the company.

Commissioner Kjellander asked how many customers IAT Communications currently has in Idaho. Mr. Cooley said the company has been assigned three or four prefixes in the Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls and Burley areas, and he estimated there are a few hundred to a thousand customers.

Mr. Cooley confirmed that IAT provides wireless services and some paging services. Commissioner Smith asked if we will need to worry about arbitrage between our Eastern Idaho calling area and Burley. Mr. Cooley replied that could be another layer in the list of concerns.

Commissioner Kjellander stated that we knew there would be a day when this would hit Idaho’s doorstep. He made a motion to approve Staff’s recommendation and move the matter forward. A vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously.

There were no further items on the agenda and Commission Kjellander adjourned the meeting.

DATED this _____ day of April, 2003.

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COMMISSION SECRETARY