20190403Comments.pdf

KARL KLEIN
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone]
IDAHO BAR NO. 5156
l-Iu
tnr A !l!F i-r ..r _ r fj l;!irl i\ J ill I
o. qfU'LJl
Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W. WASHINGTON
BOISE, IDAHO 83702-5918
Attorney for the Commission Staff
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF
TDS METROCOM, LLC FOR A CERTIFICATE
OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY
COMMENTS OF THE
COMMISSION STAFF
The Staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission comments as follows on TDS
Metrocom, LLC's Application.
BACKGROUND
On February 1,2019, TDS Metrocom, LLC (the Company) applied for a Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) allowing it to provide telecommunications service in
Idaho. The Company amended its Application on February 6,2019 to include a new price list.
The Company states it is a Delaware corporation authorized to do business in Idaho, and
that it is wholly-owned by TDS Long Distance Corporation. TDS Long Distance Corporation is
wholly-owned by TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom), which is wholly-owned by
Telephone &Data Systems, Inc. (TDS). The Company notes it is affiliated with Potlatch
Telephone Company dba TDS Telecom and TDS Long Distance Corporation, which have
operated in Idaho for years.
)
)
)
)
)
)
CASE NO. TML.T.19.O1
ISTAFF COMMENTS APRIL 3,2019
STAFF REVIEW
The Company states it intends to provide facilities-based competitive
telecommunications service through its own loop and switching and transport facilities and
through agreements with other carriers. Services would include transport and termination of
interexchange toll services to be provided via the Company's network and using other long
distance carriers.
The Company would initially offer service near Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, and
Rathdrum, [daho. But it seeks a CPCN that would allow it to provide access to the full range of
resold and facilities-based local and interexchange services to residences and businesses
throughout Idaho. The Company expects to compete with Time Warner, Charter, and Frontier.
The Company states it has not yet started to negotiate interconnection agreements, but it
would do so shortly after the Application is approved.
The Company states it would not require customers to pay advance deposits.
The Company represents it has reviewed and agrees to comply with the Commission's
rules goveming the provision of service as a competitive local exchange carrier.
The Company worked closely with the Staff in preparing its Application. Staff
appreciates the effort to file a correct and current Application.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff has reviewed the Company's Application. Based on its review, Staff is
confident the Company understands the Commission's rules and requirements for
telecommunication services in ldaho. The Company states it will comply with all
applicable rules, requirements and Orders. Rule ll4.07,IDAPA 31.01.01.1 14.07. Staff
also believes that the Company possesses the requisite financial, managerial, and
technical qualifications to provide telecommunications services. Therefore, Staff
recommends that the Commission issue a CPCN to TDS Metrocom, LLC, subject to the
following conditions:
1. The Company must comply with all number pooling and reporting requirements
of the North American Number Plan Administrator. See Commission Order No. 30425
and Rule 114.08;
2STAFF COMMENTS APRIL 3,2019
2. The Company must comply with all reporting and contribution requirements as
prescribed by the Idaho Universal Service Fund, Idaho Telecommunications Relay
System, Idaho Telecommunications Service Assistance Program; and
3. The Company must comply with all future reporting requirements deemed
appropriate by the Commission for competitive telecommunications providers.
\(Y_ i
Respectfully submitted this Adray of April 2olg.
lt'c
Karl Klein
Deputy Attorney General
Technical Staff: Carolee Hall
i : umisc/comments/tmlt I 9. I kkch comments
JSTAFF COMMENTS APRIL 3,2019
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT I HAVE THIS 3RD DAY OF APRIL 2019,
SERVED THE FOREGOING COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION STAFF, tN
CASE NO. TML-T-19-01, BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF, POSTAGE PREPAID,
TO THE FOLLOWING:
GAIL M LONG MGR
STATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
TDS METROCOM LLC
PO BOX 1004
REDMOND OR 97756
E-MAIL: gai 1. long(i.l)tdstelecorn.corn
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE