28487.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE JOINT APPLICATION OF U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND CHOCTAW COMMUNICATIONS, INC. DBA SMOKE SIGNAL COMMUNICATION FOR APPROVAL OF AN INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO 47 U.S.C. § 252(e).
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CASE NO. USW-T-00-19

ORDER NO. 28487

On June 27, 2000, U S WEST Communications, Inc. and Choctaw Communications, Inc. d.b.a. Smoke Signal Communication (“Smoke Signal”) filed a Joint Application for approval of a negotiated interconnection agreement between the two Companies. The Joint Application stated that the Agreement was reached through voluntary negotiations without resort to mediation or arbitration and is submitted for approval pursuant to Section 252(e) of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. On July 12, 2000, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Modified Procedure. Comments were due August 2, 2000. The Commission Staff filed comments recommending approval. Based on the record, the comments and the law, the Commission approves this interconnection agreement between U S WEST Communications, Inc. and Smoke Signal.
BACKGROUND
Under the terms of the Telecommunications Act, interconnection agreements must be submitted to the Commission for approval. 47 U.S.C. § 252 (e)(1). The Commission may reject an agreement adopted by negotiation only if it finds that the agreement discriminates against a telecommunication carrier not a party to the agreement or implementation of the agreement is not consistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity. 47 U.S.C. § 252 (e)(2)(A). If the Commission does not act to approve or reject the agreement within 90 days after its submission, the agreement is deemed approved. 47 U.S.C. § 252 (e)(4). The Commission’s decision is not reviewable by the state courts. Id.
The Joint Application stated that the Agreement will enable Smoke Signal to interconnect with U S WEST facilities and to provide customers with increased choices among local telecommunications services. Based on its review of the Agreement and previously approved agreements, the Staff filed comments maintaining that the agreement was consistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity and does not discriminate against other carriers. Staff recommended this interconnection Agreement be approved. No other comments were filed.
COMMISSION FINDINGS
Under the terms of the Telecommunications Act, interconnection agreements must be submitted to the Commission for approval. 47 U.S.C. § 252 (e)(1). The Commission’s review is limited, however. The Commission may reject an agreement adopted by negotiation only if it finds that the agreement discriminates against a telecommunication carrier not a party to the agreement or implementation of the agreement is not consistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity. Id. Based upon our review of the Application, the Staff’s recommendation and on the fact no other person commented on the proposed agreement, the Commission finds that the interconnection agreement between U S WEST Communications, Inc. and Smoke Signal is consistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity and does not discriminate. Therefore, the Commission finds this interconnection agreement should be approved.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the interconnection agreement between U S WEST Communication, Inc. and Choctaw Communications, Inc. d.b.a. Smoke Signal Communications is approved.
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. USW-T-00-19 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. USW-T-00-19. Within seven (7) days after any person has petitioned for reconsideration, any other person may cross-petition for reconsideration. See Idaho Code §§ 61626 and 62-619.

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
day of August 2000.

DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary

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ORDER NO. 28487 -1-

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
August 25, 2000