20050121Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
CO MMISSI 0 NER SMITH
CO MMISSI 0 NER HANSEN
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM:GRACE SEAMAN
DATE:JANUARY 21, 2005
RE:VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS
APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT 2 TO
INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT; CASE NO. VZN- T -02-
BACKGROUND
Under the provisions of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, interconnection
agreements must be submitted to the Commission for approval. 47 D.C. 9252(e)(1). The
Commission may reject an agreement adopted by negotiations only if it finds that the agreement:
(1) discriminates against a telecommunications carrier not a party to the agreement; or (2)
implementation of the agreement is not consistent with the public interest, convenience and
necessity. 47 D.C. 9252(e)(2)(A). As the Commission noted in Order No. 28427, companies
voluntarily entering into interconnection agreements "may negotiate terms, prices and conditions
that do not comply with either the FCC rules or with the provisions of Sections 251 (b) or (c).
Order No. 82427 at 11 (emphasis original). This comports with the FCC's statement that
, "
state commission shall have authority to approve an interconnection agreement adopted by
negotiation even if the terms of the agreement do no comply with the requirements of (Part 51 J."
47 C.R. 9 51.3.
THE CURRENT APPLICATION
This Application seeks approval of an amendment to an existing interconnection
agreement. With this filing, the parties modify the intercarrier compensation and the
interconnection architecture. In addition, the parties agree to comply with the FCC Declaratory
Ruling with regard to VoIr traffic that originates on and terminates to the PSTN.
DECISION MEMORANDUM - 1 -JANUARY 21 2005
STAFF ANALYSIS
Staff has reviewed the Application and does not find that any terms or conditions are
discriminatory or contrary to the public interest. Staff believes that the agreement is consistent
with the pro-competitive policies of this Commission, the Idaho Legislature, and the federal
Telecommunications Act. Accordingly, Staff recommends Commission approval of the
amendment.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to approve the Application for amendment to the existing
interconnection agreement?
4~u
Grace Seaman
i:udmemos/vzntO2.4
DECISION MEMORANDUM - 2-JANUARY 21 2005