ORLARGU.docx

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BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.’S FILING  OF TARIFF ADVICE NO. 96-03-SC
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CASE NO. USW-S-96-1
NOTICE OF ORAL ARGUMENT
On February 5, 1996, U S WEST Communications, Inc. (U S WEST) filed to restrict the availability of its Centrex Plus service in southern Idaho effective February 20, 1996.  Centrex services are central office-based services that provide internal switching capabilities to business customers.  U S WEST proposed to restrict such services to existing customers and to replace the services for new customers with a new product within six to nine months.  The Commission subsequently received a formal complaint from MCI Telecommunications (MCI) and others concerning U S WEST’s filing.  The Complainants contend the attempted withdrawal of Centrex Plus services with respect to new customers is discriminatory and contrary to state and federal law in, among others, Sections 261(b)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(4) of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996.  On February 21, 1996, the Commission issued Order No. 26336 suspending the tariff advice filed by U S WEST.  The Order also states that “fair questions are raised by U S WEST tariff filings and the complaints filed by the various companies regarding the Commission’s authority in these matters.”  Order No. 26336 at p. 2.  The Commission stated that it is appropriate for it to “first consider and determine whether and to what extent it has jurisdiction to address the issues raised by the filings.”  Order No. 26336 at p. 3.  The Commission therefore requested that the parties provide written briefs to the Commission addressing the jurisdictional issues.  MCI and U S WEST  filed written briefs and request oral argument.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that oral argument will be heard on the legal issues identified by the Commission on TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1996, AT 3:00 P.M. IN THE COMMISSION HEARING ROOM, 472 WEST WASHINGTON STREET, BOISE, IDAHO [phone].
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all hearings and prehearing conferences in this matter will be held in facilities meeting the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Persons needing the help of a sign language interpreter or other assistance of the kind that the Commission is obligated to provide under the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to participate in or to understand the testimony and argument at a public hearing may ask the Commission to provide a sign language interpreter or other assistance at the hearing.  The request for assistance must be received at least five (5) working days before the hearing by contacting the Commission Secretary at:
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO  83720-0074
[phone]  (TELEPHONE)
[phone]  (TEXT TELEPHONE)
[phone]  (FAX)
DATED at Boise, Idaho this         day of March 1996.

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
vld/N:usws961.ws
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
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Office of the Secretary
Service Date
March 26, 1996