28011.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF RURAL NETWORK SERVICES FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO PROVIDE LOCAL EXCHANGE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES.
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ORDER NO. 28011

On February 1, 1999, an Application was filed by Rural Network Services, Inc. (RNS) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity authorizing RNS to provide local exchange service to customers in U S WEST Communications, Inc.’s service area. RNS is an Idaho corporation with its principal business office located in Midvale, Idaho. According to the Application, RNS initially was organized to provide Internet service and MTS service in Idaho and Arizona. The Application states that RNS’s proposed telephone plant will include copper cable loops, fiber optic cable transport facilities, next generation digital loop carrier, and digital switches. RNS has initiated interconnection negotiations with U S WEST and states that it will file its interconnection agreement for the Commission’s approval when it is completed.
On March 10, 1999, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure to process the Application. See IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. Written comments were filed during the comment period only by the Commission Staff. Staff stated that RNS’s filings meet the requirements of the Commission’s rules and requirements for approval of an Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Staff therefore recommends that RNS’s Application be approved, and that a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity be issued to RNS.
COMMISSION FINDINGS
Based on our review of the record, including the filed written comments and Staff’s recommendation, we find that the Application of Rural Network Services, Inc., complies with Procedural Order No. 26665 and the Commission’s Rules to obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. We therefore approve RNS’s Application for a Certificate to provide local exchange telecommunications service in the areas of the state served by U S WEST.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Rural Network Services is granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide local telecommunications service in those areas of the state served by U S WEST.
THIS IS A FINAL ORDER. Any person interested in this Order may petition for reconsideration within twenty-one (21) days of the service date of this Order. Within seven (7) days after any person has petitioned for reconsideration, any other person may cross-petition for reconsideration. See Idaho Code  61626.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this day of April 1999.

DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary

vld/O:RNST991_ws.doc
ORDER NO. 28011 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
April 23, 1999