20030224Notice of Public Workshops.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
February 24, 2003
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF
QWEST CORPORATION FOR
DEREGULATION OF BASIC LOCAL
EXCHANGE RATES IN ITS BOISE, NAMPA,
CALDWELL, MERIDIAN, TWIN FALLS,
IDAHO FALLS, AND POCATELLO
EXCHANGES.
CASE NO. QWE-O2-
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on December 17, 2002, Qwest Corporation
filed an Application for deregulation of basic local exchange telephone rates in its Boise, N ampa
Caldwell, Meridian, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, and Pocatello exchanges.Qwest basic local
services in these exchanges currently are subject to regulation by the Commission under Title 61
Idaho Code. Qwest seeks deregulation of its basic local service pursuant to Idaho Code ~ 62-
622(3)(b). That section requires the Commission to cease regulating basic telephone rates in a
local exchange calling area upon a showing by the incumbent telephone corporation that
effective competition exists for basic service throughout the local calling area. The statute states
that effective competition exists when "there are functionally equivalent, competitively priced
local services reasonably available to both residential and small business custQmers-froffi-
telephone corporation unaffiliated with the incumbent telephone corporation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Qwest's Application asserts that effective
competition exists in the seven identified exchanges from cellular telephone providers. Qwest
asserts the cellular service is a functionally equivalent and competitively priced local exchange
service reasonably available to both residential and small business customers.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission is directed, in its
deliberation of deregulation of an incumbent telephone company, to "examine the impact such
deregulation will have on the public interest in accordance with the general grant of authority
given to the Commission by the legislature.Idaho Code ~ 61-602(3). To enable the public to
participate in the case, the Commission Staff will conduct workshops to provide an opportunity
for members of the public to ask questions of Staff and the Company, and to provide written
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
comments regarding Qwest's Application. Accordingly, the Commission Staff will convene
public workshops in Pocatello, Twin Falls, and Boise.
NOTICE OF WORKSHOPS
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission will convene a public
workshop in Pocatello, Idaho on WEDNESDAY. MARCH 5. 2003 AT 7:00 P.The
workshop will be held in the COUNCIL CHAMBERS. POCATELLO CITY HALL. 911
NORTH 7TH AVENUE. POCATELLO. IDAHO. Members of the Commission Staff and of
the parties in this case will be available to answer questions from the public, and the public will
be provided an opportunity to prepare written comments for filing in the case.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will convene a public
workshop in Twin Falls, Idaho on THURSDAY. MARCH 6. 2003 AT 3:00 P.The
workshop will be held in the OAK ROOM. WEST COAST HOTEL. 1357 BLUE LAKES
BOULEVARD NORTH. TWIN FALLS. IDAHO Members of the Commission Staff and of
the parties in this case will be available to answer questions from the public, and the public will
be provided an opportunity to prepare written comments for filing in the case.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission will convene a public
workshop in Boise, Idaho on TUESDAY. MARCH 11.2003 AT 7:00 P.The workshop will
be held in THE COMMISSION HEARING ROOM. 472 WEST WASHINGTON STREET.
BOISE. IDAHO. Members of the Commission Staff and of the parties in this case will be
available to answer questions from the public, and the public will be provided an opportunity to
prepare written comments for filing in the case.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all hearings and prehearing conferences in
this matter will be held in facilities meeting the accessibility requirements of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA). Persons needing the help of a sign language interpreter or other
assistance in order to participate in or to understand testimony and argument at a public hearing
may ask the Commission to provide a sign language interpreter or other assistance at the hearing.
The request for assistance must be received at least five (5) working days before the hearing by
contacting the Commission Secretary at:
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone] (Telephone)
[phone] (FAX)
Mail: secretarv~puc.state.id. us
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission s jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and that the
Commission. may enter any final Order consistent with its authority under Title 61. The
Commission has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to Idaho Code ~~ 61-502 61-622, and 61-
623.
DATED at Boise, Idaho this ;J.. 'I fIo day of February 2003.
Commission Secretary
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NOTICE OF
PUBLIC WORKSHOPS