26186.docx

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
VALLEY LINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Petitioner,
vs.
U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Respondent.
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CASE NO. USW-S-95-3
ORDER NO.  26186
On May 30, 1995, Valley Link Communications filed a Complaint and Petition for Stay against U S WEST Communications seeking to postpone the termination of Valley Link’s extended area service (EAS) bridging services.  U S WEST had notified Valley Link on May 22, 1995, that it would disable Valley Link’s EAS bridging services at noon on June 1, 1995.  In Order No. 26048, the Commission granted Valley Link’s request.  On September 21, 1995, Valley Link (dba Voice Technology Corporation) advised the Commission that the Complaint could be closed.  Based upon those representations, the Commission closes this Complaint.
BACKGROUND
At the time Valley Link filed the Complaint, it was providing EAS bridging services similar to those of Upper Valley Communications.  After the Commission issued its final Order in the Upper Valley case in February 1995, Valley Link asserted that it began the process of converting its bridging service to long-distance switched access service.  During the conversion period Valley Link alleged it experienced numerous delays in the processing of its service request and difficulties in interfacing with U S WEST’s network.  Although Valley Link attempted to rectify these problems, U S WEST notified Valley Link that it would disconnect Valley Link’s service on June 1, 1995.
In answer to the Complaint, U S WEST noted that the Commission directed that EAS bridging services be prohibited.  Pursuant to this directive, U S WEST advised Valley Link on May 22 that service would be disconnected on June 1.  U S WEST stated that Valley Link was provided with the requested access services in April 1995.  U S WEST attributed the transition difficulties to “incompatibility between Valley Link’s equipment and USWC’s service.”
In granting the 30-day stay, the Commission noted that examination of the disputed issue cannot be accomplished before the disconnection was scheduled to occur the following day.  Consequently, the Commission granted Valley Link’s Petition to Stay but directed Valley Link to take all necessary actions to complete the transition to switched access services as soon as possible.  Order No. 26048 at 3.  The Commission also directed the Staff to make an independent inquiry into Valley Link’s Complaint.
SUBSEQUENT ACTIONS
Staff confirmed that Valley Link was having difficulties getting its equipment to work with the feature group D trunks provided by U S WEST.  Staff determined that Valley Link had modified its interconnection equipment and problems arose configuring this equipment to U S WEST’s network.  Eventually, Valley Link and U S WEST were able to make the feature group D interconnection.
On September 21, 1995, Valley Link (dba Voice Technology) filed a letter with the Commission Secretary stating that all conditions regarding Case No. USW-S-95-3 have been satisfied.  The Company recommended that “[t]his case can now be closed.”  Id.  Based upon Valley Link’s representation and the Staff’s review, we find:  It is appropriate to close this Complaint.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this Complaint brought by Valley Link Communications be closed.
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-S-95-3 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-S-95-3.  Within seven (7) days after any person has petitioned for reconsideration, any other person may cross-petition for reconsideration.  See Idaho Code §§ 61-626 and 62-619.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this                  day of  October 1995.

RALPH NELSON, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

DENNIS S. HANSEN, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
vld/O:USW-S-95-3.dh