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Home My WebLink About28144.mod.doc BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION IN THE MATTER OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO RATE CENTER CONSOLIDATION FOR U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS IN SOUTHERN IDAHO TO CONSERVE AVAILABLE NXX CODES. ) ) ) ) ) ) CASE NO. USW-T-99-21 NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 28144 On its own Motion, the Commission initiates this investigation to examine actions which may delay the need for an additional telephone area code in Idaho. Based upon a recent survey, Idaho’s “208” area code is projected to be “exhausted” in 2006 and it will be necessary to add another area code. Historically, the need for an additional or new area code number was predicated upon population growth and the proliferation of additional lines for residential and business use. More recently, the increased number of wireless telephone companies and new local exchange companies (LECs) competing with incumbent local exchange companies has accelerated the demand for telephone prefixes (NXX codes). This in turn accelerates the need for a new area code. The implementation of the new area code is normally associated with customer confusion, the need to reprogram equipment, and some customers incur costs occasioned by the need to change their telephone numbers. BACKGROUND Based upon its 1999 survey, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator reports that Idaho’s 208 area code is now projected to last until 2006. While this is an improvement over the exhaust date of 2003 contained in the 1998 survey, it is still relatively soon. The federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 gave the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) responsibility for all aspects of area code numbering. The FCC has only delegated to states a very narrow role dealing with the exhaustion of area codes. One area the state exercises jurisdiction over is the establishment of rate center boundaries and rate center consolidation. Rate centers are the geographic locations typically used by local telephone companies for determining whether a call is a local or long-distance (toll) call. Historically, there is a rate center associated with each exchange and the local phone company has at least one telephone prefix (NXX-xxxx) for each rate center. Each NXX has approximately 10,000 telephone numbers. Two years ago, the Commission Staff estimated approximately 300 of the 800 available NXX codes were in use. Based upon the July 1999 listing, over 530 codes have now been assigned. The establishment of rate center boundaries and rate center consolidation has a significant impact on NXX utilization and ultimately the need for a new area code. As competition emerges, it is typically necessary for each new local service provider to obtain an NXX for each rate center in the area where it desires to offer service. For example, a competitor providing service throughout the U S WEST Treasure Valley calling area, would normally obtain 18 NXX codes (correspondingly to the 18 exchanges in the calling region). Given the remaining number of NXX codes, Idaho will run out of NXX codes long before we exhaust the need for new telephone numbers. Reducing or consolidating the number of rate centers will reduce the number of NXX codes each new LEC requires to serve a local calling area. The consolidation of rate centers typically involves increasing the geographic size of the local calling areas, and normally causes an increase in local rates. The creation of the three U S WEST EAS or local calling regions in southern Idaho consolidated approximately 60 exchanges into the three regional calling areas. U S WEST may be able to further consolidate its rate centers. For example, in the Treasure Valley calling region, U S WEST may only need a few rate centers instead of the existing 18 rate centers. In its recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC Docket No. 99-122), the FCC reiterated its support for state actions to consolidate rate centers, and requested comments on measures to encourage consolidation. These included delegations of additional authority over numbering issues to states that have consolidated rate centers, as well as requirements that rate centers be consolidated prior to allowing a state to use the authority previously delegated. Existence of the three large EAS regions in U S WEST’s service area may create an opportunity to consolidate rate centers with minimal impact; thus significantly extending the life of the “208” area code. Consequently, the Commission initiates this investigation to consider the consolidation of rate centers in the U S WEST southern Idaho service area. NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission initiates this investigation to consider the consolidation of U S WEST Communications rate centers in its southern Idaho service area. The Commission has determined that the public interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter and will proceed under Modified Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to participate in this case for the purpose of receiving comments filed by other persons must notify the Commission Secretary in writing that they desire to be placed on a service list to receive comments, Orders, and Notices in this proceeding. Persons desiring to participate in this case must notify the Commission Secretary no later than fourteen (14) days from the service date of this Order. The Commission Secretary shall then publish a Notice of Parties. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position in this matter may file written comments no later than November 4, 1999. In particular, the Commission requests comments regarding: (1) the area of consolidation, e.g., EAS calling regions, counties, 911 response areas, etc.; (2) the manner of consolidation and possible technical concerns; (3) implementation concerns (timing, costs, etc.); and (4) potential cost recovery mechanisms, if necessary. Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments. Written comments concerning this Application shall be mailed to the Commission and the parties listed on the Commission Secretary’s Notice of Parties. The Commission’s address is reflected below: COMMISSION SECRETARY IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION PO BOX 83720 BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074 Street Address for Express Mail: 472 W WASHINGTON ST BOISE, ID 83702-5983 Initial and reply comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this document. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that reply comments in this matter must be mailed to the Commission and the parties listed in the Secretary’s Notice of Parties no later than November 24, 1999. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments are received within the time limit set, the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and enter its Order without a formal hearing. If written comments are received within the time limit set, the Commission will consider them and, in its discretion, may set the same for formal hearing. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will consider initial and reply comments before issuing its Order in this matter. In its discretion, the Commission may set this matter for formal hearing. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held pursuant to the Commission’s jurisdiction under Title 61 and Title 62 of the Idaho Code. The Commission may enter any final Order consistent with its authority. 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. O R D E R IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Commission initiate this proceeding to examine the consolidation of rate centers for U S WEST Communications in its southern Idaho service area. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that persons desiring to participate in this matter notify the Commission Secretary by letter of their desire to be placed on the service list to receive comments. The Commission Secretary shall subsequently issue a Notice of Parties. All persons filing initial and/or reply comments in this matter shall serve the Commission and other parties listed in the Secretary’s Notice of Parties. Persons desiring to submit initial or reply comments should do so no later than the date specified in the body of this Order. DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this _______ day of September 1999. DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER ATTEST: Myrna J. Walters Commission Secretary vld/o:USW-T-99-21_dh NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 28144 1 Office of the Secretary Service Date September 7, 1999