20081212Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER REDFORD
CO MMISSI 0 NER SMITH
CO MMISSI 0 NER KEMPTON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM:CAROLEE HALL
DATE:DECEMBER 11 2008
RE:QWEST COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION ("QCC") ADOPTION OF
THE INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN COVIST A, INC.
AND VERIZON NORTHWEST, INc. ("VERIZON"
CASE NO. VZN-08-
BACKGROUND
Under the provision of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, interconnection
agreements must be submitted to the Commission for approval. 47 US.C. ~ 252(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 U.C. ~ 252(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 provision of Section 251 (b) or (c).
Order No. 28427 at 11 (emphasis in 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 not comply with the requirements of (Part 51 J.
47 c.F.R. ~ 51.3.
CURRENT APPLICATION
On December 5 , 2008 , Verizon Northwest, Inc. ("Verizon ) and Qwest Communication
Corporation ("QCC"), filed an Agreement to adopt the current Interconnection Agreement
between V erizon Northwest, Inc. and Covista, Inc. ("Covista
DECISION MEMORANDUM - 1 -DECEMBER 11 , 2008
DISCUSSION
The various elements of the Covista Agreement being adopted by QCC are: Reciprocal
Compensation Termination Traffic; Resale Services; Prices for Unbundled Network Elements;
Collocation Rates; and various other interconnection and wholesale rates.
ST AFF ANALYSIS
Staff has reviewed the Agreement with exhibits between Verizon and QCC and finds
them compatible with federal and state guidelines. Moreover, Staff believes that this filing is
consistent with the pro-competitive policies of this Commission, the Idaho Legislature, and the
federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. Accordingly, Staff recommends that the Commission
approve the Agreement.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to approve the Agreement between Verizon and QCC?
i:udmemos/adoption of interconnection agreements/vzntO805 VERIZON AND QCC adoption of the Verizon and Covista, Inc. Agreement.
DECISION MEMORANDUM - 2 -DECEMBER 11 , 2008