Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080502Petition.pdfRECEiVEDMary S. Hobson Attorney & Counselor 999 Main, Suite 1103 Boise, il 83702 208-385-8666 û8 HAY -2 AM 26 i tJ?\l"H) tJL.J 0 UTILITIES MISSION May 2, 2008 VIA HAD DELIVERY Jean D. Jewell, Secretar Idaho Public Utilties Commission 472 West Washington Boise,ID 83702-5983 RE: Docket No. QWE- T -08- Ot. Dear Ms. Jewell: Enclosed for filing with this Commission are an original and seven (7) copies of QWEST CORPORATION'S PETITION FOR WITHDRAWAL OF ITS STATEMENT OF GENERAL Y AVAILABLE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. If you have any questions, please contact me. Than you for your cooperation in this matter. Ver trly yours,~g40~ Mai SJiobson Enclosures RECEiVED 'ì r í.~O Mar S. Hobson (ISB. No. 2142) 999 Main, Suite 1103 Boise, ID 83702 Tel: 208-385-8666 mar.hobson(fgwest.com j""C¡l; UTIUTl Adam L. Sherr Corporate Counsel, Qwest 1600 7th Avenue, Room 3206 Seattle, WA 98191 Tel: (206) 398-2507 adam. sherr(fgwest. com Attorneys for Qwest Corporation BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION In Re WITHDRAWAL of QWEST COPORATION'S STATEMENT OF GENERAL Y AVAILABLE TERMS AND CONDITIONS Case No. QWE-T-08-o'f PETITION of QWEST CORPORATION Qwest Corporation ("Qwest"), by and though its undersigned attorneys, petitions the Idaho Public Utilties Commission ("Commission") for permission to withdraw its Statement of Generally Available Terms and Conditions (SGAT) and accompanying exhibits on the grounds that it SGA T is superfuous, has become outdated due to changes in applicable law, has not been used as the interconnection contract template in Idaho for some time, and has not been updated since August 2004, as fully described below. Qwest Petition of Qwest Corporation 1 fuer seeks a determination that the Performance Indicator Definitions (PIDs) and Performance Assurance Plan (PAP), voluntarly offered by Qwest, are no longer necessar and can be remoxed. INTRODUCTION 1. Qwest is a Colorado corporation whose principal place of business in Idaho is Boise. Qwest is the successor corporation to US West Communications, Inc., which provided telecommunications services in Idaho pursuant to Titles 61 and 62, Idaho Code. Presently Qwest provides retail telecommunications servces in Idaho under Title 62, Idaho Code. For convenience, both Qwest and its predecessor shall be referred to as "Qwest" in these proceedings. 2. Under the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 ("1996 Act" or "the Act") Qwest is a Bell Operating Company ("BOC") as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 153 (35) and operates as an "incumbent local exchange carer" ("ILEC") as defined in section 251(h) of the 1996 Act. 47 U.S.C. § 251(h). 3. Pursuant to the 1996 Act, ILECs such as Qwest are required to enter into interconnection agreements with other providers of telecommuncations services who request access to its network, facilties or services. See 47 U.S.C. §§ 251-252. 4. The 1996 Act also provided a means by which BOCs like Qwest could gain entr into certain telecommunications markets, known as the in-region interLATA servces markets, from which they had been legally precluded. 47 U.S.C. § 271. Proceedings by which BOCs sought regulatory approval for this market entr ("interLATA freedoms") were termed "271 proceedings" and the path these proceedings took though state and federal regulatory trbunals is often refered to as "the 271 process." As par of the 271 process, state regulatory bodies such as this Commission wereto consult with the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") as to whether a paricular BOC had met the standards set out in section 271. 47 U.S.C. § 271 (d) (2) (B). 5. The Idaho Legislature in 1997 enacted Idaho Code § 62-615 (1), which granted the Commission "full power and authority" to implement the 1996 Act. JURISDICTION Petition of Qwest Corporation 2 6. The Commission has jursdiction over this matter under section 615, Title 62, Idaho Code. QWEST'S SGAT 7. After the passage of the 1996 Act, Qwest in Idaho was actively engaged in takng all steps necessar to comply with the Act and to successfully complete the requirements for entry into the in-region, interLATA service markets though the 271 process. 8. Among these activities, Qwest negotiated numerous interconnection agreements with competitive local exchange carrers (CLECs). Said agreements were subsequently submitted to the Commission for approval pursuant to section 252(e) of the 1996 Act. 9. At the time Qwest began its effort to obtain 271 relief, it elected to obtain state approval using a collaborative workshop process to explore and resolve the literally hundreds of issues relating to specific provisions of Qwests proposed SGAT. In the 271 collaborative workshop process Qwest, CLECs, and commission staff members worked through proposed contract language that would serve to implement the section 271 requirements as they were developed. Where the paries could not come to agreement by themselves, competing language was submitted to the workshop arbitrator, John Antonuk, for decision. At the time, the SGAT was the document that provided a single, common vehicle for these collaborative workshops with CLECs and state commissions to assure Qwests agreements met the section 271 checklist requirements 10. Qwest fied its original SGAT on June 9, 2000, and, as a result ofthe collaborative workshop process, multiple revisions were made to the Idaho SGAT. The most curent version of the SGAT is the "3rd Revised SGAT" filed July 25,2002. 11. The SGAT also sered as a guide for the ters Qwest would make available to CLECs to align with the requirements of the 1996 Act and provided a template for Qwests interconnection agreements between mid-2000 and August 2004. Petition of Qwest Corporation 3 The first interconnection agreement based on the SGAT was signed by the paries in December 2001, and approved by the Commission on Februar 26,2002. 12. On June 6, 2002, the Commission entered its "Final Decision on Qwests Corporation's Compliance with Section 271" stating that it was prepared, when consulted by the FCC, to advise that Qwest had adequately addressed the section 271 requirements. The FCC approved Qwests application for market entry through the 271 process on December 23, 2002.1 13. During this period the Idaho SGAT provided a template for numerous interconnection agreements between Qwest and CLECs. However, subsequent to August 2004, Qwest no longer offered its SGAT as an option for interconnection agreements with CLECs in Idaho. 14. Since August, 2004, CLECs in Idaho have nevertheless entered into seventeen (17) interconnection agreements, all of which were subsequently filed with the Commission and approved. SGAT DISCUSSION Part One-wests 271 Approval Did Not Rely on the SGAT 15. Despite the utilty ofthe SGAT as a reference for the provisions incorporated during the collaborative workshop phase ofthe 271 process, the SGAT itself was not the basis for Qwests successful multi-state section 271 application to the FCC. 16. The 1996 Act provides two paths by which BOCs could seek approval to enter new markets: . 271 (c)(1)(A) provides that "A Bell operating company meets the requirements of this subparagraph if it has entered into one or more binding agreements that have been approved under section 252 specifying the terms and conditions under which the Bell operating company is providing access and interconnection to its network 1 Application by Qwest Communications International, Inc. for Authorization to Provide In-Region, InterLATA Services in the States of Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, WC Docket No. 02-314, Memorandum Opinon and Order, 17 FCC Rcd 26303 (2002). Petition of Qwest Corporation 4 facilities for the network facilities of one or more unaffliated competing providers of telephone exchange serice.. .." . 271 (c)(1)(B) provides that "A Bell operating company meets the requirements.ofthis subparagraph if, after 10 months after the date of enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, no such provider has requested the access and interconnection descrbed in subparagraph (A). ..and a statement ofthe terms and conditions that the company generally offers to provide such access and interconnection has been approved or permitted to take effect by the State commission under section 252(f)." The path provided under subsection 271 (c)(1)(A) is known as "Track A," while that provided under subsection 271(c)(1)(B) is referred to as "Track B." 17. In its Order approving Qwests request for 271 approval, the FCC noted at paragraph 20: In order for the Commission to approve a BOC's application (for market freedom under section 271), the BOC must first demonstrate that it satisfies the requirements of either section 271 (c)(I)(A) (Track A) or section 271(c)(1)(B) (Track B). To meet the requirements of Track A, a BOC must have interconnection agreements with one or more competing providers of "telephone exchange serice. . . to residential and business subscrbers." In addition, the Act states that "such telephone service may be offered . . . either exclusively over (the competitor's) own telephone exchange serice facilities or predominantly over (the competitor's) own telephone exchange facilities in combination with the resale of the telecommunications services of another carer." The Commission has concluded that section 271 (c)(1)(A) is satisfied if one or more competing providers collectively sere residential and business subscribers, and that unbundled network elements are a competing provider's "own telephone exchange serce facilities" for purposes of section 271 (c)(1)(A). The Commission has further held that a BOC must show that at least one "competing provider" constitutes "an actual commercial alterative to the BOC," which a BOC can do by demonstrating that the provider serves "more than a de minimis number" of subscribers. The Commission has held that Track A does not require any paricular level of market penetration, and the D.C. Petition of Qwest Corporation 5 Circuit has affirmed that the Act "imposes no volume requirements for satisfaction of Track A. (footnotes omitted) 18. In requesting relief under section 271 in Idaho, Qwest followed the Track A path, relying on the binding agreements it had with CLECs that had been approved by the Commission under section 252 of the 1996 Act. It did not rely on its SGAT or pursue the Track B alternative. On April 19,2002, the Commission issued its decision on Qwest s compliance with the Track A, finding ''that Qwest satisfies the Track A requirements." (Idaho PUC Decision Regarding Track A, Public Interest and 272 at 7) 19. The FCC, in its Memorandum and Order approving Qwests 271 application stated, "We conclude, as did the state commissions, that Qwest satisfies the requirements of Track A." (Paragraph 21, FCC 02-332, adopted December 20,2002). Part Two-The SGAT Is Not Necessary for Qwest to Meet Its 251 Obligations 20. Section 251 of the 1996 Act requires that Qwest enter into interconnection agreements with other providers of telecommunications serces who request access to its network, facilities or services. However, neither section 251 nor any other par of the Act require an SGAT. 21. Rather, the 1996 Act provides that an SGAT is optional: A Bell operating company may prepare and fie with a State commission a statement of the ters and conditions that such company generally offers within that State to comply with the requirements of section 251. . . 47 U.S.C. § 252 (f)(1) (emphasis added) 22. No provision of the 1996 Act requires an SGAT be in place or maintained. In finding compliance with the 1996 Act requirements, the FCC demonstrated it was not concerned whether a BOC presented an overarching SGAT or wholesale tariff encapsulating all of its section 251 obligations. For example, in Maine CLECs attempted to argue that the lack of a SGAT or tarff precluded a finding that Verzon was meeting its section 251 obligations. The FCC, however, looked at the multiple interconnection agreements Verizon had entered into with Maine CLECs and the abilty of other CLECs Petition of Qwest Corporation 6 to opt into said agreements as evidence of continuing section 251 compliance.2 The FCC paid paricular emphasis to the fact that section 252(f)(1) states that a BOC "may" fie a SGAT, not that it has to file one.3 23. Furhermore, Qwest is not required to continue to make the SGAT available simply because it was the basis of previously approved interconnection agreements. Even though the SGAT has not been available for opt-in since August 2004, CLECs in Idaho have entered into 17 interconnection agreements since Qwest stopped allowing opt-in to its SGAT. All 17 of those agreements were approved by this Commission. Given this experence with interconnection agreements in Idaho, it is evident that Qwest is meeting its obligation to negotiate interconnection agreements with those wishing to interconnect. The fact that Qwest continues to maintain multiple interconneçtion agreèments in Idaho coupled with the rights of those CLECs under section 252(i) demonstrates, that Qwest continues to meet its section 251 requirements. 24. To facilitate the process of enterng into an interconnection agreement, Qwest makes available a "template" interconnection agreement ("Template Agreement"). The Template Agreement serves as Qwests initial offer to CLECs and can be adopted as their interconnection agreement. Although the Template Agreement initially used the language from the SGAT, unike the SGAT, it has continued to evolve. Today's Template Agreement not only reflects the curent state ofthe law, but has been modified to be more consistent in its language across the foureen states in which Qwest operates. as a BOC. These "consistency" modifications were made with the encouragement of CLECs who operated in multiple states and Qwest operations people who were applying contractual requirements in diverse locations. In those instances where a specific state commission has ordered substantive deviation from the language and intent of other states, Qwest has preserved those state-specific modifications as par of the Template Agreement offer for that paricular state. Eight of the seventeen interconnection 2 In the Matter of Application by Verizon New England Inc., Bell Atlantic Communications, Inc. (d/b/a Verizon Long Distance), NYNEX Long Distance Company (d/b/a Verizon Enterprise Solutions), Verizon Global Networks Inc., and Verizon Select Services Inc., for Authorization to Provide In-Region, InterLATA Services In Maine, CC Docket No. 02-61, 17 FCC Rcd 11659, 11687-11688 (June 19,2002) 3 Id. At11688,n. 185 Petition of Qwest Corporation 7 agreements approved by this Commission since August 2004 were based on the Template Agreement for Idaho. 25. As Qwests initial offer, if the Template Agreement does not meet all ofa CLECs business needs, it serves as a starting point for subsequent negotiations and, if necessary, arbitrations, of interconnection agreements that are ultimately submitted to a state commission for approval. 26. In addition, CLECs may opt-in to existing agreements between Qwest and other carers that have been recently negotiated or arbitrated and approved by the Commission under its section 252 authority. 27. The absence of an SGAT in no way diminishes the Commission's role in overseeing and approving the terms and conditions of section 252 agreements. Qwest submits every agreement containing 251 terms (including rates associated with those products and servces) to the Commission for review and approval pursuant to the requirements of section 252. 28. As a final safeguard, the Commission maintains its authority to serve as arbitrator and to render the final decisions on disputed interconnection agreement terms and conditions between Qwest and CLECs. The Commission also maintains îts authority to reject any agreement or amendment if: a) it is found to discriminate against a telecommunications carer not a pary to the agreement; b) the implementation of such agreement or portion is not consistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity; or, c) the agreement does not meet the requirements of section 251. QWEST'S PIDs and PAP Part One-Origin of the PIDs and PAP 29. At the onset ofthe 271 process, the focus was on implementing wireline competition. One critical element of that implementation was assurng the BOCs provided quality service to the competitors to whom they provided interconnection and other products and services used in their CLEC operations. In particular CLECs sought assurance that service quality would be maintained once the BOCs received 271 approval and re-entered the interLATA service markets. Petition of Qwest Corporation 8 30. Among the BOCs, Bell Atlantic (now Verizon) was the first to receive 271 approval from the FCC. As a result, the Bell Atlantic application became a blueprint for all other 271 submissions. In paricular Bell Atlantic's extensive, independent third-pary Operations Support Systems (OSS) testing and voluntar plan to assure service quality were seen as a useful approach. Included in that approach were: . Development of clearly defined performance measures and standards; and, . Adoption of performance assurance measures with substantial penalties that created a strong financial incentive for Bell Atlantic's post-approval compliance with the section 271 requirements. 31. As noted, Bell Atlantic's application, including its performance assurance plan became a blueprint for other BOCs, like Qwest, who were seeking the FCC's approval under section 271. Therefore, like Bell Atlantic, Qwest submitted to extensive third-party testing of its OSS offerng and worked with interested paries to develop perormance measures known as Performance Indicator Definitions ("PIDs") that would be used to provide specific data about Qwests performance. Finally, Qwest voluntarly put into place a Performance Assurance Plan ("PAP") that applies specific standards to the perormance data to assure post-approval compliance with section 271 requirements. 32. Based on a snapshot ofthe industr as BOCs completed their 271 processes, Qwest voluntarily offered the PAP. PAPs were not required under the Act. Instead, they were considered an anti-backsliding mechanism to assure that the pro- competitive measures required prior to BOCs gaining access to the in-region, interLATA markets were not compromised once interLATA freedoms were attained. Consequently, PAPs went far beyond what had been considered commercially reasonable in ordinar business-to-business agreements and required Qwest make payments for failure to meet PIDs even where CLECs suffered no actual har. Part Two-The PAP Was Never Intended to Be Permanent 33. During the workshops and negotiations in the 271 process, it was anticipated that the PAP would not always be in place. In fact, terms were added to the Petition of Qwest Corporation 9 Idaho PAP providing for its elimination. By its own terms, the Idaho PAP provides at Section 16.3: Qwest wil make the PAP available for CLEC interconnection agreements until such time as Qwest eliminates its Section 272 affliate. At that time, the Commission and Qwest shall review the appropriateness of the PAP and whether its continuation is necessary. ..." (Emphasis added) This reference to "Section 272" is to the 1996 Act. Essentially that section allowed BOCs to provide in-region, interLAT A telecommunications services through separate corporate affliates, if certain safeguards were in place. 47 U.S.C. § 272(a)(2). By its own ters, many of the requirements in section 272 expire three years after a BOC is authorized (through the 271 process) to provide in-region, interLATA serces. 47 U.S.C. § 272(f)(1). As noted above, the FCC granted Qwests section 271 authorization for Idaho in an order released on December 23,2002. Therefore, pursuant to section 272( f)(1), the provisions of section 272 (other than section 272( e)) sunset by operation of law for Qwest in Idaho effective December 23,2005. After that time Qwest was no longer required to provide those in-region, interLATA serices through a section 272 affiliate.4 However, Qwest did not cease using its 272 affliates to offer its in-region interLATA services because if Qwest had offered those services immediately itself, they would have been subject to additional FCC regulations until the FCC issued a forbearance order. 34. On February 20,2007, the FCC granted Qwests Petitionfor Forbearance from Enforcement of the Commission's Dominant Carrier Rules as They Apply after 272 Sunsets. 5 In connection with this forbearance grant, Qwest provided the FCC with notice that Qwest had stopped providing in-region, interstate, interLATA interexchange ("IXC services") though section 272-compliant affiliates as of February 20,2007. 4 See Section 272(/(1) Sunset of the ROC Separate Afliate and Related Requirements, WC Docket No. 02-112, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 17 FCC Rcd 26869 (2002) (finding that section 272(£)(1) is best interpreted as providing for a state-by-state sunset). 5 In this petition Qwest sought relief from FCC requirements that would have made any IXC servces it provided subject to the stringent regulations known as "dominant carer regulations." Petition of Qwest Corporation 10 35. Thus, the trggering event contemplated in section 16.3 ofthe Idaho PAP occured as of Februar 20,2007. It is appropriate for the Idaho Commission to now determine continuation ofthe PAP and PIDs is no longer necessar. Part Three- The PAP Is Not Necessary 36. Since the creation of the PAP and continuing through Qwest s successful 271 process and entr into the in-region, interLATA market, Qwest has consistently provided good serice to CLECs. Average Idaho performance since 2003 has been over 99%, as sumarzed below: Percent Items Met b' Major PIC Category Category 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Grand Total Billnq (BI)95.8%99.6%99.8%99.99%99.99%99.3% Maintenance & Repair 99.3%99.4%99.6%99.5%99.7%99.5% (MR) Ordering &99.3%99.0%99.3%99.1%99.1%99.2% Provisioninq (OP) Pre-order/Order (PO)99.1%99.5%99.3%99.5%98.4%99.2% Total 96.0%99.6%99.8%99.98%99.99%99.3% 37. Qwest remains committed to providing good serice to CLEC customers and is prepared to include additional language in the Template Agreement that provides additional wrtten assurance that Qwest wil continue to provide good serice to this group of customers. Exhibit 1 to this Petition depicts Qwests proposed language for sections, 6 (peraining to resale), 7 (interconnection) and 9 (unbundled network elements). In each case the proposed language states Qwests commitment to providing serice to CLECs that is at least as good as it provides to its own retail operations ("party"). The language also preserves the Commission's role in resolving any serce quality concerns if the streamlined, business-to-business dispute resolution process already contained in section 5.8 of the Template Agreement is unsuccessful in resolving any of those concers. Part Four--Exhibits Band K Should Be Removed Petition of Qwest Corporation 11 38. In the interconnection agreements that have been approved by this Commission, the PIDs and PAP may be found in Exhibits B and K respectively. Given the natue of the PAP and PIDs, neither exhibit has historically been subject to individual CLEC negotiations. CLECs either opted in and received the benefit, or believed these exhibits were not needed and did not have them included in their interconnection agreements. If a CLEC opted to include Exhibits B and K, it did not adopt a static version of the PAP or PIDs. Instead the CLECs are informed and aware that the PAP and PIDs are subject to future negotiations and modifications approved by the Commission, as well to modifications from changes in law governing the paries' duties toward each other and submitted to the Commission. For example, the Idaho PAP and PIDs were modified by the Commission in Case No. QWE-T-03-23 by Order No. 30461. 39. Moreover, CLEC interconnection agreements with Qwest contain provisions that address the fact that changes in law wil affect obligations under the agreement. See e.g., Section 2.2 ofQwest's Negotiations Template. Given that the Idaho PAPin section 16.3 explicitly sets out the role of the Commission in deterining whether the PAP is necessar after Qwest ceases offering in-region, interLAT A serices though section 272 affiliates, the agreements currently containing the PAP recognize the possibilty of a regulatory deterination affecting the continuing availability of the PAP. The Commission's continuing role and abilty to resolve any service quality concerns provides additional support for a finding that the Idaho PAP is no longer necessar. 40. Therefore, Qwest asks that the Commission deterination that the Pils and PAP are no longer necessary and that its finding constitutes a change of law that removes Exhibits B and K from existing interconnection agreements that contain them. See Exhibit 1 to this Petition, page 3. WHEREFORE, Qwest respectfully prays for relief as follows: 1. SGAT. That the Commission enter an order allowing Qwest to withdraw its 2. That the Commission enter an order finding the PAP and PIDs are no longer necessar and may be withdrawn. Petition of Qwest Corporation 12 3. That the Commission find that its decision that the PAP and PIDS are no longer necessar constitutes a change oflaw requiring the Exhibits Band K ofthe SGAT (containing the PAP and PIDs) be removed from existing agreements and not be included in future agreements. 4. That the Commission order such other relief as is appropriate in the circumstances. Dated this U day of May, 2008. Respectfully submitted, Adam L. Sher Corporate Counsel, Qwest 1600 7th Avenue, Room 3206 Seattle, WA 98191 Attorneys for Qwest Corporation Petition of Qwest Corporation 13 Qwest Proposed Interconnection Agreement Language Changes Section 6 - Resale 6.2.3 Qwest shall provide to CLEC Telecommuncations Serices for resale that are at least equal in quality and in substantially the same time and maner that Qwest provides these services to itself, its subsidiares, its Affliates, other Resellers, and Qwests retail End User Customers. Qwest shall also provide resold services to CLEC in accordance with the Commission's retail servce quality requirements, if any. Qwest further agrees to reimburse CLEC for credits or fines and penalties assessed against CLEC as a result of Qwests failure to provide serice to CLEC, subject to the understanding that any payments made pursuant to this provision wil be subject to the following provisions: 6.2.3.1 Qwest shall provide service credits to CLEC for resold serces in accordance with the Commission's retail serice requirements that apply to Qwest retail serces, if any. Such credits shall be limited in accordance with the following: a) Qwests serice credits to CLEC shall be subject to the wholesale discount; b) Intentionally Left Blan. c) Intentionally Left Blan. d) Intentionally Left Blank. e) In no case shall Qwests credits to CLEC exceed the amount Qwest would pay a Qwest End User Customer under the servce quality requirements, less any wholesale discount applicable to CLEC's resold servces; and f) In no case shall Qwest be required to provide duplicate reimbursement or payment to CLEC for any servce qualiy failure incident. 6.2.3.2 Fines and Penalties - Qwest shall be liable to pay to CLEC fines and penalties for resold serices in accordance with the Commission's retail serice requirements that apply to Qwest retail serces, if any. Such credits shall be limited in accordance with the following: a) Qwests fines and penalties paid to CLEC shall be subject to the wholesale discount; b) Intentionally Left Blank. c) Intentionally Left Blan. d) In no case shall Qwests fines and penalties to CLEC exceed the amount Qwest would pay the Commission under the serce quality plan, less any wholesale discount applicable to CLEC's resold serices; and Qwest Petition Exhibit 1 Page 1 of3 e) In no case shall Qwest be required to provide duplicate reimbursement or payment to CLEC for any service quality failure incident. 6.2.3.3 If CLEC contends that Qwest does not provide performance to CLEC in the provision of resale services at a level that is at least equal in quality to that it gives to itself, its Affliates, subsidiares and Qwests retail End User Customers, CLEC shall initiate the dispute resolution process contained in Section 5.18 of this Agreement. Nothing herein shall deprive CLEC of its rights, if any, to pursue an action with the Commission for any alleged Qwest failure to provide quality serice under this section, in addition to any other remedies allowed under this Agreement, the laws of the state of Idaho, and federal law. Section 7 - Interconnection 7.1.1.1 Qwest wil provide to CLEC Interconnection at least equal in quality to that provided to itself, to any subsidiar, Affliate, or any other pary to which it provides Interconnection. Notwithstanding specific language in other sections of this Agreement, all provisions of this Agreement regarding Interconnection are subject to ths requirement. Qwest wil provide Interconnection under rates, terms and conditions that are just, reasonable and non-discriminatory. In addition, Qwest shall comply with all state wholesale and retail service quality requirements, if any. 7.1.1.2 If CLEC contends that Qwest does not provide performance to CLEC in the provision of Interconnection at a level that is at least equal in quality to that it gives to itself, its affliates and subsidiaries, or any other pary to which it provides Interconnection, CLEC shall initiate the dispute resolution process contained in Section 5.18 of this Agreement. Nothing herein shall deprive CLEC of its rights, if any, to pursue an action with the Commission for any alleged Qwest failure to provide quality servce under this section, in addition to any other remedies allowed under this Agreement, the laws ofthe state ofIdaho, and federal law. Section 9 - Unbundled Network Elements 9.1.2 Qwest shall provide non-discrminatory access to Unbundled Network Elements on rates, terms and conditions that are non-discrminatory, just and reasonable. The quality of an Unbundled Network Element Qwest provides, as well as the access provided to that element, wil be equal between all Carrers requesting access to that element; second, where Techncally Feasible, the access and Unbundled Network Element provided by Qwest wil be provided in "substantially the same time and maner" to that which Qwest provides to itself or to its Affiliates. In those situations where Qwest does not provide access to Network Elements to itself, Qwest wil provide access in a maner that provides CLEC with a meanngful opportnity to compete. For the perod of time Qwest provides access to CLEC to an Unbundled Network Element, CLEC shall Qwest Petition Exhibit 1 Page 2 of3 have exclusive use of the Network Element, except when the provisions herein indicate that a Network Element wil be shared. Notwithstanding specific language in other sections of this Agreement, all provisions of this Agreement regarding Unbundled Network Elements are subject to this requirement. In addition, Qwest shall comply with all state wholesale servce quality requirements, if any. 9. i .2.1 If CLEC contends that Qwest does not provide performance to CLEC in the provision of Unbundled Network Elements at a level that is at least equal in quality to, where Technically Feasible, that it gives to itself, its affliates and subsidiares, CLEC shall initiate the dispute resolution process contained in Section 5.18 ofthis Agreement. Nothing herein shall deprive CLEC of its rights, if any, to pursue an action with the Commission for any alleged Qwest failure to provide quality serice under ths section, in addition to any other remedies allowed under this Agreement, the laws of the state of Idaho, and federal law. Section 20 - Service Performance Delete this section completely as well as Exhibits B and K Qwest Petition Exhbit 1 Page 3 of3 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I do herby cefy that a tre and corrt copy ~orgOing PETmON of QWEST CORPORATION was served on the:l-l day of 2008 on the following individuals: Jean D. Jewell Idao Public Utilties Commssion 472 West Washington Street P.O. Box 83720 Boise, il 83702 Telephone (208) 334-0300 Facsimle: (208) 334-3762 j j ewellíiuc.state.id. us i Hand Delivery U. S. Mail Overnght Delivery Facsimile Email ~¡lLrMar Hobson Attorney for Qwest Corporation