19980528Comments.doc

WELDON STUTZMAN
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone]

Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W WASHINGTON
BOISE ID 83702-5983

Attorneys for the Commission Staff

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )
OF TELTRUST COMMUNICATIONS ) CASE  NO. TCI-T-98-1
SERVICES, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF )
PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY )
TO PROVIDE LOCAL EXCHANGE ) COMMENTS OF THE
SERVICE AS A COMPETITIVE LOCAL ) COMMISSION STAFF
CARRIER. )
_________________________________________ )

COMES NOW the Staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, by and through its Attorney of record, Weldon Stutzman, Deputy Attorney General, and submits the following comments for the Commissions consideration in Case No. TCI-T-98-1.

BACKGROUND
On January 20, 1998, Teltrust Communications Services, Inc. (Teltrust) filed an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) in compliance with Commission Rules of Procedures, IDAPA 31.01.01.111 and Procedural Order No. 26665. Teltrust is currently authorized to provide telecommunications service pursuant to Title 62 of the Idaho Code and is seeking authorization to provide local exchange service pursuant to Title 61 to

Idaho residences and businesses within the U S WEST (North and South) and GTE service areas through a resale arrangement. At present, Teltrust has not obtained an interconnection agreement with U S WEST or GTE.

DISCUSSION
Staff has reviewed the application submitted by Teltrust and believes that it meets the requirements of the Commissions Procedural Order No. 26665, which sets out necessary information to be included with an application for a certificate submitted by a new local exchange provider in Idaho. Teltrust has agreed to comply with the Commissions rules and procedures.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Teltrust has complied with all filing requirements for issuing a certificate. Staff recommends approval of Teltrusts Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.

Respectfully submitted this day of May 1998.

Weldon Stutzman
Deputy Attorney General

Technical Staff: Carolee Hall

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STAFF COMMENTS 1 May 28, 1998