20050511Notice of Petition Order No 29780.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
May 11 , 2005
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF
QWEST CORPORATION FOR THE
FURTHER CONSOLIDATION OF RATE
CENTERS IN SOUTHERN IDAHO
CASE NO. QWE-05-
NOTICE OF PETITION
NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 29780
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on April 29, 2005 , Qwest filed a Petition
requesting an Order authorizing the consolidation of its Meridian and Boise rate centers. Because
the rate centers do not have identical local calling areas, consolidation of the two centers could
require the Commission to expand the local calling area of the Kuna, Meridian, Middleton and Star
exchanges to include Lowman. Lowman is served by Cambridge Telephone Company. Qwest in
its Petition proposes that the Commission grant one-way EAS between its exchanges and the
Lowman exchange.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission previously investigated
consolidation of rate centers as a way to conserve NXX prefixes. In February 2001 , the
Commission issued Order No. 28943 , which consolidated rate centers in Qwest's service area by
reducing the number of rate centers in a local calling area. The new Boise rate center included the
Boise and Idaho City exchanges and the Meridian rate center included the Kuna, Meridian
Middleton and Star exchanges. Qwest's Petition asserts that consolidation of the Boise and
Meridian exchanges is necessary for it to port local numbers between Boise and Meridian for its
customers.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that consolidating the Boise and Meridian exchanges
would require modification of the local calling area for Meridian customers. Customers in the
Boise and Idaho City exchanges have toll-free extended area service (EAS) to the Lowman
exchange, and customers in the Meridian rate center do not. Qwest proposes to provide one-way
EAS from the Meridian exchange to Lowman. Service is provided in Lowman by Cambridge
Telephone Company. Qwest does not seek reimbursement for implementing EAS for its Meridian
NOTICE OF PETITION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 29780
customers. Should Cambridge Telephone decide to expand the Lowman EAS to include the
Meridian exchange, Qwest asserts it would implement two-way EAS without compensation for lost
access and toll revenues.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Petition has been filed with the Commission
and is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices. The
Petition is also available on the Commission s Website at www.puc.idaho.gov under the "File
Room" icon and then "Telecommunications Cases.
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 the Commission may enter
any final Order consistent with its authority under Title 61.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted
pursuant to the Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the public
interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter and will proceed under Modified Procedure
pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission s Rules of Procedure
IDAP A 31.01.01.201 through .204. The Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written
comments have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this
Petition may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission within twenty-
one (21) days from the service date of this Notice. The comment must contain a statement of
reasons supporting the comment. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in
their written comments.Written comments concerning this Petition shall be mailed to the
Commission and Qwest at the addresses reflected below:
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W. Washington Street
Boise, ID 83702-5983
NOTICE OF PETITION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 29780
Mary S. Hobson
Stoel Rives LLP
101 South Capitol Boulevard, Suite 1900
Boise, ID 83702
E-mail: mshobson~stoe1.con1
Adam L. Sherr
Qwest
1600 7th Avenue, Room 3206
Seattle, W A 98191
E-mail: adam.shelT~qwest.com
These comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document. Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission s home page located at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the "Comments and Questions
icon, and complete the comment form, using the case number as it appears on the front of this
document. These comments must also be sent to Qwest at the e-mail addresses listed above.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received
within the time limit set, the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and enter its Order
without a formal hearing.If written comments are received within the time limit set, the
Commission will consider them and, in its discretion, may set the same for formal hearing.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Petition of Qwest Corporation to further consolidate
rate centers in southern Idaho be processed by Modified Procedure, ID AP A 31. 01. 01.201- .204.
Persons interested in submitting written comments in this matter must do so no later than 21 days
from the service date of this Order.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
/ /
tA.
day of May 2005.
~~- iJSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:~o.je D. Jewell
ission Secretary
bls/O:QWET0510
NOTICE OF PETITION
:NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 29780