20080403Petition.pdf

Mar S. Hobson
Attorney & Counselor
999 Main, Suite 1103
Boise, il 83702
208-385-8666
RECEIVED
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April 2, 2008
VIA HAND DELIVRY
Jean D. Jewell, Secretar
Idaho Public Utilties Commission
472 West Washington
Boise, ID 83702-5983
RE: Docket No. QWE-T-08- o:
Dear Ms. Jewell:
Enclosed for filing with this Commissiòn are an original and seven (7) copies of QWEST
CORPORATION'S PETITION FOR EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN
PROVISIONS OF RULE 31.41.01.201. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Than you for your cooperation in this matter.
Very trly yours,~gl6~~--
Mar S. H¿fon
Enclosures
Mar S. Hobson (ISB. No. 2142)
999 Main, Suite 1103
Boise, ID 83702
Tél: [phone]
mar.hobson(fgwest.com
Adam L. Sher
Corporate Counsel, Qwest
1600 7th Avenue, Room 3206
Seattle, WA 98191
Tel: [phone]
adam. sherr(fqwest. com
Attorneys for Qwest Corporation
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PETITION OF QWEST
CORPORATION FOR EXEMPTION
FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF
RULE 31.41.01.201
Case No. QWE-T-08-0~
QWEST CORPORATION'S PETITION FOR EXEMPTION
Qwest Corporation (Qwest), by and through its undersigned attorneys, files this
Petition for Exemption from Cerain Provisions of Rule 31.41.01.201 (Petition) on the
grounds set out below:
BACKGROUND
1. Ths Petition is fied pursuant to IDAPA 31.41.01.009. Qwest requests a
peranent exemption from certain provisions ofIDAPA 31.41.01.201 (Rule 201), which
QWEST PETITION FOR EXEMPTION - 1 -
perain to bil format and content for residence and small business customers. Qwest
respectfully requests that the Commission review this Petition on an expedited basis.
2. Qwest seeks this exemption so that it may be allowed to offer its customers the
option of receiving a summar biling statement ("Summar Statement") that reduces the
volume and complexity of the detailed information contained in Qwests standard bil. A
copy of Qwests Summar Statement with certain explanatory comments is attached
hereto as Exhbit 1.
3. Customers who choose to receive the Sumary Statement must affrmatively
select this change to their biling statements. Those who do not affrmatively request the
Sumar Statement wil continue to receive the standard bil, which, among other thigs,
complies with the detailed requirements of Rule 201.
4. Customers who have chosen the Sumar Statement may review the standard
detailed biling information for their account on Qwests website at any time. In the
alternative, they may request and receive a paper copy of their recent detailed biling
information without charge.
5. Customers wil have the option to switch from the Summar Statement back to a
standard biling format at any time, again without charge or penalty.
6. The Sumar Statement provides the most important biling information
customers are looking for, i.e., biling date, due date, total amount due, past due amounts
(if any), payments received since the prior biling, biling totals for each class of serice,
summar information about taxes and surcharges, and information about services
provided by third paries, including contact information for questions regarding third
pary biling.
QWEST PETITION FOR EXEMPTION - 2 -
7. Any of the more detailed information that is required under Rule 201 that is not
provided on the Sumar Statement can be readily obtained online, or by calling
Qwest s customer serce representatives, whose contact information is provided on the
Summary Statement.
8. Qwests objective in providing the Sumar Statement is to provide customers
more options and to respond to customer demand for simplified biling information.
Should the Sumar Statement not meet customer needs, customers can easily return to
the standard bil format prescribed by the Commission.
STANDAR OF REVIEW
9. The Commission may grant exemptions if "unusual or uneasonable hardships
result from the application of any of (its) rules". . . IDAP A 31.4.1.01.009.
10. The circumstances described in this Petition meet this standard. Strct adherence
to the detailed requirements of Rule 201 prohibits Qwest from making an option
available to customers that wil reduce the volume and complexity of their bils-a
reduction that many customers want. Since only those customers who affrmatively ask
for the Summar Statement wil receive it, and since every customer can readily obtain
the Commission-prescrbed, biling detail either electronically or in paper format,
application the letter of Rule 201 to every biling option Qwest offers is not required to
sere the policies for which the Rule was adopted.
11. Granting the exemption wil permit Qwest to better serve-customers by providing
a sumar biling document for those that specifically request it, while preserng the
standard bil for everyone else. Denying the exemption would work a hardship on Qwest,
QWEST PETITION FOR EXEMPTION - 3 -
which is seeking to improve customer serce through the provision of options, as well as
on those customers who would prefer to receive the Sumar Statement.
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
10. Qwest respectfully requests that the Commission consider ths Petition on
modified procedure and expeditiously grant the relief requested herein to allow Qwest to
offer a Sumar Statement in form attched as Exhibit 1.
Submitted this 1 st day of April, 2008.
Respectfully submitted,
f:~. 2142)
999 Main. Suite 1103
Boise, ID 83702
Adam L. Sherr
Corporate Counsel, Qwest
1600 7th Avenue, Room 3206
Seattle, W A 98191
Attorneys for Qwest Corporation
QWEST PETITION FOR EXEMPTION - 4 -
Box 2:
'Past Due
Balance
(Disregard
if Paid)'
wil display
when the
dollar
amount is
greter than
zero.
'Balance'
will display
when the
dollar
amount is
zero ora
creit.
Existing
rules apply.
Thank you for being a
Qwest customer
BILLING NAME 1
BILLING NAME 2
BILLING NAME 3
Account Number: NPA NXX-LLLL CUSR
Bil Date: January 7,2008
Customer Service: 1 800-244-1111
Repair: 1 800-573-1311
Help Us Go Green!
See page 2 for details!
Or go online at: qwest.com
QWEST ALSO OFFERSe
Example
Example
Call or visit qwest.com to learn more!
You have Qwest Bundle service
and are receiving $XX in bundle savings and promotion discounts!
INCLUDED IN YOUR STATEMENTe ø (l ePhone Intemet Wireless TV
Service Service Service Service
Previous
Balance
$XX.XX
- Payment(s)
Mmm.DD
$XX.XX
= Total Amount
Due
$XX.XX
- Adjustment(s)
$XX.XX
= Past Due
Balance
$X.XX
(Disregard if Paid)
+ Total New
Charges
$XX.XX
Due by
Mmm.DDYY
Thank you!
Marketig Message in this space
Marketing Message in this space
Marketing Message in ths space
Please fold, tear here and return this portion with your payment.
To change your biling address,
Qwe St: call us at 1800-244-1111
Spirit of Setvlce""
Account: NPA NXX-LLLL CUSR
Payment Due Date: Month DD, YY
Total Amount Due: $XX.XX
Amount Enclosed:
See reverse of this page to enroll in
automatic payment and/or paperless billin
Bil Name
Billng Address
City, ST Zip code
Qwest
PO BOX 173384
Denver, CO 80217-3384
1
Exhibit 1
Sum Billng Staterent- So il
This
languge is
dynamc
dependig
on the
customer.
For
example, if
the
customer is
enlled in
automatic
payment,tht
selection
wil not
appear.
Ths is areurng
statement
for
customers
who have
elected to
opt into the
Sunaiy
Billng
Statement.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
1 800-2441111
REPAIR
1 800-573-1311
ACCOUNT NUMBER
NPA NXX-LLLL CUSR
Bil Name
BILL DATE Page 2 of X
MmmD, YY
qwest.com
~If you would like to join Qwest in
conserving natural resource,
please select "Paperless Biling" on
the stub below to opt out of receiving a paper
bilL. Should you ever need full details of your
current bil, call Customer Service at the
number above and they will be happy to
provide a paper copy to you at no cost. Or log
on to qwest.com/myaccunt to view your bil
details online. A charge will be assessed for a
request of a paper copy of your bil older than
six months or an online bil older than twelve
months.
Your Long-Distance Provider Has Changed
At your request, Qwest Long Distance has
recently been made your provider for long-
distance calls outside your local toll callng
area.
At your request, Qwest Long Distance has
recently been made your provider for long-
distance calls inside your local toll callng area.
If you did not authorize this, please call
1 800-922-1879.
This is a summary biling statement of
your current bil. You may always get your
current bil with detailed charges at
qwest.comlmyaccount or by callng Qwest.
Infonnation About Your Account
At Qwest, our top priority is providing you with quality customer
service. As part of that commitment, we have prepared the
following information to help you understand your account. If you
need additional assistance, please call Customer Service at 1 800-
244-1111. Customers using Teletype (TT) devices can direct their
inquiries to Qwest at 1 800-223-3131, a TT equipped number.
Charges for your monthly service are biled one month in advance.
Qwest should receive your payment for the total amount due on or
before the due date on your bilL. If you are unable to pay by the due
date, please contact Customer Service to avoid possible collection
action. Your basic telephone service wil not be disconnected for
non-payment of charges for services that are identified by an
asterisk ( . ). Qwest packages of features and the amounts shown
on the summary page may include both basic and charges that are
not basic.
Late Charge Reminder: A late payment charge of 1.5% may
apply if amount due does not reach us by Mmm 0, YY.
To make additional payments: Make a check payable to
Qwest. Write your account on your check and mail to:
Qwest
PO BOX 173638
Denver, CO 80217-3638
Or, pay online at awest.com andl or to view your bill, change
your billng address, order new products and services, check your
Qwest Wireless minutes.
DateE-mail Address Signature
Check the appropriate box below and return with your check for this month's payment.
Accunt Number NPA NXX-LLLL CUSR
Automatic By checking this box and signing above, you are authorizing and instructing your financial
Payment instiution to debit the monthly amount due on your Qwest bil from your account associated with
your enclosed payment, and remit directly to Qwest. Or, you may sign up for Automatic Payment
at qwest.com/bilpay. (To discontinue Automatic Payment you must call Qwest.)
Paperless By checking this box, providing your e-mail address, and signing above, you are authorizing
Biling Qwest to enroll you in Paperless Biling. You will need to create an online accunt at
qwest.com/bilpay in order to view your bil.
o
o
Exhibit 1
2
Sunar Billg Statement- So ID
State specific
mandated
languge
curtly in
production
wil be used in
this section.
This
languge isdynic
depending
on the
customer.
For
example, if
the
customer is
enrlled in
automatic
payment,tht
selection
wil not
appear.
Ths
statement
was added
forPCC
TIB
reuirement
CUSTOMER SERVICE
1800-2441111
REPAIR
1 800-573-1311
ACCOUNT NUMBER
NPA NXX-LLLL CUSR
Bil Name
BILL DATE Page 30fX
MmmD, YY
o
qwest.com
Your savings this month
Thank you for being a valued Qwest customer with Bundle Savings from:
. Qwest Choice DSL with MSNcB . Owest Wireless Cross Country
. Qualifying LD Plan. DIRECTVcB Bundle Savings based on the 4 products
you currently have is $37.00 per month. This bil includes a Bundle Savings of $37,00.
Prmotional and savig
statements wil appear as
what is in prouction
today.
Bundle Savings
Qwest Digital Voice
Qwest Connect SLVR w MSFT
Cross Country Plus
DIRECTV w/Minimum Programming
Total Bundle Savings
Promotional Discounts
Qwest Broadband Promotion
Discount
$5.00
12.00
15.00
5.00
$37.00
Discount
$XX.XX
Summary of New Charges
Discounts are given one month in advance. Your bill may include a partial month and a month in
advance of billing. Prouct changes may result in a charge for unused discounts previously given.
DISCOUNTS
& SAVINGS
TOTAL WITH
SAVINGS
Total Promotional Discounts
Total savings this month
$XX.XX
$XX.XX
.
ø
..'"
:: ... ....
o
SERVICE PRICE
Phone ServiceLocal Service Monthly Charges $49.99 - $5.00 $44.99
Long Distance Monthly Charges * 20.00 - 5.00 15.00Related Monthly Charges 9.50 9.50Usage Charges 2.05 2.05Taxes, Fees & Surcharges 9.60 9.60
Your basic telephone service (dial tone) wil not be disconnected for non-payment of other services included in this section. For a
detailed breakdown of your services, go to: qwest.comlmy account or call Qwest.
3
Exhibit 1
Total Phone Service $XX.XX
- 12.00 32.99
4,99
- .36
Total Internet Service $XX.XX
Total Qwest Leased Equipment $XX.XX
- 15.00 29.99
1.75
4.47
Total Wireless Phone Service $XX.XX
- 5.00 39.99
4.99
Total TV Service $XX.XX
Internet Service *
Qwest Broadband with MSFT Monthly Charges
Related Monthly Charges
Taxes, Fees & Surcharges
44.99
4.99
- .36
Total AT&T Charges $XX.XX
Qwest Leased Equipment *
Wireless Phone Service *
Monthly Charges
Related Monthly Charges
Taxes, Fees & Surcharges
44.99
1,75
4.47
Other Companies *
AT&T - contact 8XX NXX-LLLL
Total New Charges $XX.XX
TV Service *
DIRECTV Monthly Charges
Related Monthly Charges
44.99
4.99
. For additional information, see Information About Your Account, on page 2.
Sum Biling Statement- So il
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I do hereby cerify that a tre and correct copy of the foregoing QWEST
CORPORATION'S PETITION FOR EXEMPTION FROM CE~
PROVISIONS OF RULE 31.41.01.201 was served on the:t day 0 2008 on the
following individuals:
Jean D. Jewell
Idao Public Utilties Commssion
472 West Washigton Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, il 83702
Telephone [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
j j ewell(ßuc.state.id. us
i Hand Delivery
U. S. Mail
Overnght Delivery
Facsimle
Email
~f-Lc .
Mar S. sonA~fQest Corporation