27044.docx

(text box: 1)BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF TEL-LINK OF IDAHO FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO OPERATE AS A RESELLER OF TELECOM­MUNICATIONS SERVICES WITHIN THE STATE OF IDAHO.
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CASE NO. TLI-T-97-1
ORDER NO.  27044
On March 24, 1997, Tel-Link of Idaho (Tel-Link) filed an Application with the Commission for authority to provide local exchange and long distance telecommunications services through resale within the state of Idaho.  Specifically, Tel-Link proposes to offer prepaid local telecommunications services to consumers (1) who have been disconnected by the incumbent local exchange carrier, or by competitive local exchange carriers, for non-payment or (2) who have failed to meet such carriers applicable credit standards.  Tel-Link’s service will provide a customer with a single voice grade communications channel, including a telephone number and directory listing, and will permit customers to (1) place an unlimited number of calls per month within the local calling area; (2) place toll-free 800 or 888 prepaid long distance or information service calls; (3) access 911 service, and; (4) access optional service features such as call waiting, call forwarding, three-way calling, speed dialing, call return, unpublished number and caller identification.  Tel-Link’s prepaid local service, however, will not permit a customer to originate direct dial 1+ or 0+ toll services or caller paid information services (1-900).  Tel-Link seeks authority to offer the foregoing services within all areas of the state of Idaho served by its certificated underlying carrier, U S WEST Communications, Inc.  
On April 24, 1997, the Commission issued a Notice of Modified Procedure soliciting comments in response to Tel-Link’s Application.  The only party to file comments was the Commission Staff.  Staff expressed concern over the need to distinguish between the foregoing services and intrastate toll services.  Moreover, Staff noted that some of the required information was missing from the Application, some of the information contained in the Application had to be changed to conform to the Commission’s rules, and certain aspects of Tel-Link’s Application contained editorial errors.
After reviewing the information subsequently submitted by Tel-Link, as well as that provided in response to production requests, Staff now believes that Tel-Link has provided all the information identified by the Commission in Case No. GNR-T-96-4 setting out the procedural requirements for approval of competitive local exchange providers.  Consequently, Staff believes that Tel-Link’s Application is complete.  Staff notes, however, that final resale agreements between Tel-Link and GTE and U S WEST are not yet available.  Copies of those agreements as well as Tel-Link’s final escrow arrangements must be submitted to the Commission before Tel-Link begins formally conducting business under the proposed tariff.
F I N D I N G S
We hereby find that Tel-Link’s Application is now complete and satisfies the requirements of Order No. 26665 issued in Case No. GNR-T-96-4.  Furthermore, no party submitted comments and we find no reason for denying Tel-Link’s Application.  Consequently, we hereby approve Tel-Link’s Application subject to the requirement that it submit copies of its agreements with GTE and U S WEST as well as its final escrow arrangements prior to the formal commencement of business under the tariff approved by this Order.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY APPROVED that Tel-Link’s Application, as modified and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Order, is granted.
THIS IS A FINAL ORDER.  Any person interested in this Order (or in issues finally decided by this Order) or in interlocutory Orders previously issued in this Case No. TLI-T-97-1  may petition for reconsideration within twenty-one (21) days of the service date of this Order with regard to any matter decided in this Order or in interlocutory Orders previously issued in this Case No. TLI-T-97-1 .  Within seven (7) days after any person has petitioned for reconsideration, any other person may cross-petition for reconsideration.  See Idaho Code § 61-626.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this                  day of July 1997.
                                                                                                                                      DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT
                                                                                           RALPH NELSON, COMMISSIONER

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
vld/O:TLI-T-97-1.bp
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
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Service Date
July 11, 1997