20041116Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
CO MMISSI 0 NER SMITH
CO MMISSI 0 NER HANSEN
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM:LISA NORDSTROM
DATE:NOVEMBER 16, 2004
RE:IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF TRANS NATIONAL
COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE
OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO PROVIDE LOCAL
EXCHANGE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES.
CASE NO. TIN-04-
On July 1 , 2004, Trans National Communications International, Inc. ("Trans
National" or "Company ) filed an Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity to provide to basic local exchange telecommunications service throughout the State of
Idaho in the areas in which Qwest Corporation is the incumbent local exchange carrier. The
Company will provide service using resold facilities-based unbundled network elements. In the
Notice of Application and Modified Procedure issued October 19, 2004, the Commission
solicited comments regarding Trans National's Application. Order No. 29616. No comments
were received other than those submitted by Commission Staff.
THE APPLICATION
Trans National is a Delaware corporation and is authorized to transact business in the
State of Idaho as a foreign corporation. The Company is currently authorized to and is providing
resold interexchange service in the contiguous 48 states and Hawaii. The Company also has
authority to provide local exchange service in 18 states, and is in the process of obtaining
authority in 13 additional states.
Trans National intends to provide all fonns of resold local exchange services to
business and residential customers in Idaho. These services include two-way local lines/trunks
Centrex, ISDN and DSL services. Trans National also proposes to provide associated local
calling (usage) for these access lines, including message rate service for business customers and
DECISION MEMORANDUM
the required calling options for residential customers. It will offer, also on a resold basis
operator assistance services, lifeline, hearing impaired services, directory assistance and
directories, free 900 prefix call blocking and switched access servIces.
intraLA T A and interLA T A toll services on a 1 + and 0+ basis.
Trans National will serve the exchanges as mapped and described by Qwest
Corporation. The local calling area for Trans National's customers will be the same as the
It will also offer
incumbent carrier s existing exchange boundaries. This means that Trans National's customers
will have the same local calling area as if they remained customers of the incumbent carrier.
Trans National understands that it will automatically mirror any future modifications to these
exchange boundaries or legal description of these boundaries on a going forward basis. If not
mirrored, new detailed maps and legal descriptions, on an individual exchange basis, will be
filed with the Commission for approval.
According to its Application, Trans National will implement the procedures necessary
to prevent deceptive and unfair marketing practices, and will comply with applicable
Commission service and billing standards. Trans National also intends to comply with the
applicable intraLA T A access requirements of incumbent local exchange telephone companies.
Furthennore, the Company agrees to comply with the applicable provisions and all rules
regulations, and laws applicable to it, unless it has requested and received a waiver from the
Commission. To the extent economically and technically feasible, Trans National is willing and
able to provide service to all customers in the same service classification in its designated
geographical service areas in accordance with its tariff offerings.
Trans National asserts it is financially, managerially, and technically qualified to
possess authority to provide local exchange service. In particular, the Company states it has
access to the financing and capital necessary to conduct its telecommunications operations as
specified in its Application. The Company asserts that its senior management has extensive
experience in management and telecommunications service. Because Trans National will be
providing local exchange service initially through resale only, the Company will also rely upon
the managerial and technical expertise of the incumbent local exchange carriers that have been
certified and deemed technically and managerially able to provide local exchange service by the
Commission.
DECISION MEMORANDUM
Trans National argues that granting its Application is in the pubic interest because it
will provide Idaho consumers with an enhanced range of telecommunications services, will
increase customer choice, will encourage carriers to provide more efficient service at lower
prices, will provide users with greater reliability, and will create competitive pressure on carriers
to provide more responsive customer service. Trans National submits that its entry will bolster
competition for the provision of local telecommunications services, which is essential to the
State s continued economic health and well-being.
STAFF COMMENTS
Trans National has provided Staff with financial sheets for quarters ending
December 31 , 2002 and 2003 and appropriate contact infonnation for its registered agent for
service of process within Idaho. Staffhas reviewed the Application submitted by Trans National
and believes the Company understands and agrees to comply with the Commission rules and
requirements. Based on this review, the Company s filing fulfills the requirements of the
Commission Rules and Procedural Order No. 26665. The Staff believes that the Company
possesses the requisite financial, managerial, and technical qualifications necessary to operate as
~ provider of telecommunications services.Therefore, Staff recommends approval of the
Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to approve Trans National Communications International
Inc.s Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity?
. .
M: TINTO401 In
DECISION MEMORANDUM