28922.mod.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO RATE CENTER CONSOLIDATION FOR QWEST CORPORATION IN SOUTHERN IDAHO TO CONSERVE AVAILABLE NXX CODES. )
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) CASE NO. USW-T-99-21

AMENDED NOTICE OF APPLICATION

SECOND NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 28922

On its own Motion, the Commission initiated an investigation in September 1999 to examine actions which may delay the need for additional telephone area codes in Idaho. More specifically, the Commission sought comments on the possible consolidation of rate centers in Qwest Corporation’s southern Idaho service area. Rate centers are the geographic coordinates typically used by local telephone companies for determining whether a call is a local or long-distance (toll) call. In some instances, the charges for long-distance calls are calculated based upon the distance from one rate center to another. Historically, each local exchange is assigned a rate center coordinate and the local telephone company has at least one telephone prefix (NXX-____) for each rate center.
BACKGROUND
The consolidation of rate centers is one method of conserving NXX prefixes and ultimately delaying the need for a new area code. As local exchange competition emerges, each new local service provider must obtain an NXX for each rate center (exchange) in which it desires to offer service. For example, a competitor providing service throughout the Qwest Treasure Valley calling area, would normally obtain 18 NXX codes (corresponding to the 18 exchanges in the calling region). Rate center consolidation reduces the number of rate centers in a local calling area and, consequently, allows for greater conservation of NXX prefixes.
Another method of delaying the exhaustion of the 208 area code is number pooling. Thousand-block number pooling allows telephone numbers to be allocated to service providers in blocks of 1,000 numbers instead of the existing, network-mandated blocks of 10,000 numbers. The remaining 9,000 numbers in the NXX prefix are thus available to other providers in the same rate center. Based upon the current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) schedule, the FCC’s national 1,000-block number pooling administrator (NeuStar) will begin number pooling in the largest metropolitan areas in March 2002. Unfortunately, under the present schedule, pooling will reach Idaho two months after mandatory dialing of the new area code(s) is required for the State. See Order No. 28902 at 9-10. On November 6, 2001, the Commission petitioned the FCC to implement number pooling in the Boise metropolitan area early in 2002. Id. The FCC has yet to rule on the Commission’s petition.
In its initial Application, Qwest proposed to reduce the number of its rate centers from 38 rate centers to 6 rate center clusters. In response to the Commission’s Notice of Modified Procedure, Qwest, Verizon and Staff submitted comments. In September 2000, Qwest amended its proposal by recommending eight rate center clusters.
AMENDED NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on December 5, 2001, Qwest revised its recommended list of exchanges to be consolidated into rate center “clusters.” The Company observed in its filing that the Commission had delayed ruling on consolidation because of several pending extended area service (EAS) applications. With the completed implementation of these EAS routes, Qwest stated that it is now appropriate for the Commission to again take up the issue of rate center consolidation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company is now recommending eight clusters including one rate center for Grangeville (encompassing both the Cottonwood and Grangeville exchanges). The table below lists the proposed clusters in the September 2000 and the December 2001 recommendations. Those Qwest exchanges not included in the clusters would remain as separate rate centers.

September 2000
Recommended Clusters December 2001
Recommended Clusters Emmett, Kuna, Melba, Meridian, Middleton, Star

Glenns Ferry and Mountain Home

Hailey and Ketchum

Pocatello and American Falls

Bancroft, Downey, Grace, Lava Hot Springs, McCammon, Montpelier, Preston, Soda Springs

Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Rigby, Ririe, Roberts, Shelley (including Firth)

Twin Falls and Jerome

Bliss, Buhl, Castleford, Eden/Hazelton, Gooding, Hagerman, Kimberly, Murtaugh, Shoshone/Dietrich, Wendell Emmett, Kuna, Melba, Meridian, Middleton, Star

Glenns Ferry and Mountain Home

Hailey and Ketchum

Boise and Idaho City

American Falls, Bancroft, Downey, Grace, Lava Hot Springs, McCammon, Montpelier, Pocatello, Preston, Soda Springs

Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Rigby, Ririe, Roberts, Shelley (including Firth)

Cottonwood and Grangeville

Bliss, Buhl, Castleford, Eden/Hazelton, Gooding, Hagerman, Jerome, Kimberly, Murtaugh, Shoshone/Dietrich, Twin Falls, Wendell
SECOND NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission within twenty-one (21) days from the date of this Notice. The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting the comment. 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 Qwest at the addresses reflected below:
Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
e-mail: [e-mail]

Street Address for Express Mail:

472 W Washington ST
Boise, ID 83702-5983 John Souba, Manager Regulatory Affairs
Qwest Corporation
999 Main Street, 11th Floor
Boise, ID 83702
e-mail: [e-mail]

Curtis D. McKenzie
Stoel, Rives, LLP
101 South Capital Blvd., Ste 1900
Boise, ID 83702-45958
e-mail: [e-mail]

Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the Commission’s homepage located at www.puc.state.id.us under the “Comments and Questions” icon. Once at the “Comments or Questions” icon, fill in the case number as it appears on the front of this document, and enter your comments. These comments must also be sent to Qwest at the e-mail addresses listed above.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held pursuant to the Commission’s jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code and that the Commission may enter any final Order consistent with its authority under Title 61.
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 persons desiring to comment in this matter do so no later than 21 days from the service date of this Order.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
day of December 2001.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

Commissioner Smith Out of the Office
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

DENNIS S. HANSEN, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Jean D. Jewell
Commission Secretary

vld/O:USW-T-99-21_dh3

AMENDED NOTICE OF APPLICATION
SECOND NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 28922 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
December 21, 2001