PETITION.docx

(text box: 1)BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FROM WEISER AND PAYETTE RESIDENTS REQUESTING EXTENDED AREA SERVICE (EAS) BETWEEN THESE COMMUNITIES.
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CASE NO.  USW-S-96-6
NOTICE OF PETITION
On November 4, 1994,  the Commission received a petition containing more than 180 signatures requesting toll-free calling between the exchanges of Weiser and Payette.  Toll-free calling between exchanges is usually provided via a service arrangement known as extended area service (EAS).  Approximately 75% of Idaho’s exchanges have EAS(footnote: 1) calling to other exchanges.  Local exchange service in these communities is provided by U S WEST Communications.  Upon its own motion, the Commission initiates this proceeding to examine the reasonableness of establishing EAS routes between Weiser and Payette.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the petition generally asserts that Weiser is located approximately twelve (12) miles from Payette. The petition maintains that because of the close proximity of these neighboring communities there are frequent calls between these towns. The petition maintains that schools, medical facilities, law enforcement, county government and businesses that serve Washington County are located in Weiser.   It further maintains that residents of south Washington County who have a Payette phone number are assessed a toll to call these facilities. The petition claims that because residents of Weiser and Payette have close ties between the communities there should be no toll access charge.  The petition generally asserts that EAS calling will make it easier for residents to make calls between these communities for their daily activities.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that this proceeding has been initiated on the Commission’s own Motion to consider the reasonableness of providing EAS between Weiser and Payette.  Further scheduling will be accomplished at a later time.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that U S WEST Communications is designated as a party to this case.
DATED at Boise, Idaho this day of August 1996.

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
vld/O:USW-S-96-6.sh
FOOTNOTES
1:
   1“Toll-free” EAS is something of a misnomer because the costs associated with converting a former long-distance toll route to a toll-free EAS route are usually recovered from the affected customers by increasing their rates for local service.
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
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Service Date
August 20, 1996