20030603Comments.pdf

IDAHO STATE CWA COUNCIL
RECEIVED mFilED
2003 JUN - 2 AM S: 53
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UTiLITIES COMMISSION
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 W. Washington st.
O. Box 83720Boise, ID 83720-0074
RE: Docket QWE-T-02-25
Dear Commissioners:
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) is the laborunion representing approximately 1,000 telecommunications
employees in Idaho. Our members have a long and dedicated
history of providing telephone service in Idaho.
During that time, we have seen many changes that have
impacted what we do. Technology has changed, competition
has developed, and customers ' have become more aware of thechoices they have for telephone service.
One of those choices - cellular service - has had a
dramatic impact on our business. As customers choose to
replace a landline with a wireless line, or they choose a
wireless service to begin with, this means less work for
our CWA members. Reduced workloads mean you need fewer
people to do the work.
While the major employer of our members in Idaho (Qwest)
has avoided significant layoffs in Idaho in the past couple
of years, and recent attrition in our traditional network
jobs has been more than offset by the addition of jobs in
the DSL technical support center, this scenario is somewhatunique. Not all states where Qwest operates have been so
fortunate. While the core business of the company (access
lines) has been declining, we believe the regulatory
environment and business climate in Idaho have something to
do with the fact that we have been able to retain jobs
here.
Qwest has filed an application to price deregulate its
local telephone service in seven of its largest exchanges.
As you evaluate this application, we encourage you to
consider the potential impact on jobs of allowing Qwest the
same flexibility to compete that its competitors have.
While removing regulation will not guarantee Qwest success,
nor will it guarantee CWA members jobs, it will ensure that
unnecessary government regulation was not the reason for
their failure or loss of jobs.
During the monopoly days, regulation served this industrywell for a long time. Quite simply, this business is not a
monopoly anymore - customers have choices and they areexercising them. Yet, the company s basic telephone
service is still regulated as if it were the only game intown. That is not right and it is not good policy to treat
one company so different than it's competitors.
CWA locals 7621, 7603 and 7610, on behalf of our
approximately 000 members in Idaho, support Qwest'
application and encourage the Commission s approval.
Thank you for considering our input.
Dirk Marsden
Idaho State CWA Council President
Representing
CWA Local 7621
CWA Local 7603
CWA Local 7610
Idaho Falls-Pocatello
Boise
Twin Falls
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IDAHO
ASSOCIATION
OF COUNTIES
700 W. WASHINGTON
BOX 1623, BOISE, IDAHO 83701
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Re: Qwest Price Deregulation Application
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3 June 2003
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P. Q. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
Dear Commissioners:
We write to you today in support of Qwest Communication s application for price
deregulation of local service in seven metropolitan areas in southern Idaho.
Idaho s county governments are dedicated to providing essential services to their
constituents and encourage a strong private sector environment for business. Qwest's
application indicates the deployment of high-speed Internet service in ten additional
communities in Idaho over the next three years, upon approval of this proposal. This is
the type of investment Idaho s counties work to attract every day.
As you consider Qwest's application, please also consider the economic development and
telecommunications investments that could result. With this new investment, Idaho
counties are optimistic that government, business and education all will benefit.
We appreciate the Commission s work on behalf of the people ofIdaho to bring new
technology for Idaho and her citizens. Thank you for your favorable consideration of
Qwest's application.
ecutive Director
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I Association of Idaho Cities
3314 Grace Street, Boise, ID 83703
Telephone [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.idahocities.org
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2003 JUN -3 PH 12: 4~
June 3, 2003
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UTill'fIES' COHJ'-1ISSION
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 W. Washington
Boise, ill 83702
Dear Commissioners:
The Association of Idaho Cities was founded in 1947 and is a nonpartisan, nonprofit
corporation, organized to serve Idaho s city governments. The Association of Idaho
Cities (AlC) is the single most important advocacy group for Idaho s 200 incorporated
cities. AlC is involved on a daily basis in activities which promote the interests of city
officials and the communities they serve.
We are writing about the Qwest application (QWE-02-25) that is being considered by
the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. A priority of the AlC is encouraging an enhanced
telecommunications network throughout the state ofIdaho. A strong
telecommunications network is an effective tool for city officials in attracting new
business, expanding existing businesses and attracting new jobs. Qwest has filed
testimony with its application that commits to additional broadband deployment
continuation of the Idaho Telephone Assistance Program and other low priced local
service options, and the continuation of its obligation to provide service to any customer
in its service area. These commitments, combined with a positive history of working
with Qwest and its predecessor companies, have led us to ask you to seriously consider
this application.
The AlC recognizes that the IPUC would not be granting full deregulation in approving
this application. However, the IPUC would be taking a step in welcoming Qwest and
other telecommunications providers to invest and bring additional telecommunications
technology to Idaho. We view this as a policy change that will positively affect the
whole state, without committing new tax dollars or putting a financial burden on cities
and communities.
We appreciate the fact that the IPUC is considering input ftom organizations such as the
Association of Idaho Cities in making its decision on this application. Our interest in this
issue is a direct reflection of our desire to expand the opportunities for the cities ofIdaho.
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Ken Harward, Executive Director