20131029final_order_no_32916.pdf

Office ofthe Secretary
Service Date
October 29,2013
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF FRONTIER )
COMMUNICATIONS NORTHWEST INC.’S 2012)CASE NO.VZN-T-13-03
BROADBAND EQUIPMENT TAX CREDIT )
APPLICATION.)ORDER NO.32916
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
)
On October 16,2013,Frontier Communications Northwest Inc.(the “Company”)
applied to the Commission for an Order confirming that equipment it installed in 2012 is
“qualified broadband equipment”under Idaho Code §63-30291 (Income tax credit for
investment in broadband equipment).With this Order,we confirm that the installed equipment
is “qualified broadband equipment”under Idaho Code §63-3 0291.
THE APPLICATION
In its Application,the Company says it invested $3,829,484.35 in qualifying
broadband equipment in 2012.The Company says it installed equipment associated with
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)services with transmission rates of 640,000 bits per
second (bps)from a subscriber and 6,000,000 bps to a subscriber.The Company says it installed
the broadband equipment in the Bayview,Bonners Ferry,Clark Fork,Coeur d’Alene,Hayden
Lake,Hope,Kellogg,Moscow,Mullan,Orofino,Post Falls,Potlatch,Priest River,Rathdrum,
Sandpoint,Spirit Lake,and Wallace exchanges,and that the broadband network can now serve
about 78,564 idaho customers,which is more than 78%of the Company’s total customer base.
See Application.
THE BROADBAND EQUIPMENT TAX CREDIT
Idaho Code §60-30291 allows a taxpayer to receive an income tax credit for having
installed qualified broadband equipment during a calendar year.Before the taxpayer is eligible
for the tax credit,the taxpayer must first apply to the Commission for an order confirming that
the installed equipment is “qualified broadband equipment”as defined in the statute.Idaho (‘ode
§63-30291(4).That statute defines “qualified broadband equipment”as equipment that qualifies
for the Idaho Code §63-3029B capital investment credit that “is capable of transmitting signals
at a rate of at least [200,000 bps]to a subscriber and at least [125,000 bps]from a subscriber.”
Idaho Code §63-30291(3)(b).Further.in “the case of a telecommunications carrier,such
ORDERNO.32916
qualifying equipment shall be necessary to the provision of broadband service and an integral
part of a broadband network.”Idaho Code §63-30291(3)(b)(i).
In furtherance of its statutory responsibility,the Commission has issued Order No.
28784.That Order specifies the information the taxpayer must include in the broadband tax
credit application.When the taxpayer files the application,the Commission Staff reviews it to
determine whether the listed equipment meets the statutory definition of “qualified broadband
equipment.”Staff then submits a recommendation to the Commission.If the Commission
ultimately approves the application,the Commission forwards it and the Order to the Idaho State
Tax Commission.
STAFF REVIEW
Staff reviewed the Company’s Application under Idaho Code §63-30291.Based on
its review,Staff believes that the Company is a telecommunications carrier and that the listed
equipment meets the statutory criteria and is “qualified broadband equipment”that is eligible for
the tax credit.Staff thus recommended the Commission:(1)issue an Order confirming that the
Company’s equipment is “qualified broadband equipment,”and (2)forward copies of the
Application and Order to the Idaho State Tax Commission.
COMMISSION FINDINGS
Having reviewed the Company’s Application and Staffs recommendation,we find
that the Company’s equipment is “qualified broadband equipment”subject to the tax credit under
Idaho Code §63-3 0291.The Company is a telecommunications carrier.Further,the listed
equipment (as presently configured)is an integral part of the Company’s broadband network and
is necessary to the provision of broadband service to Idaho customers.Accordingly,it is
appropriate for the Commission to issue an Order confirming that the Company’s equipment is
“qualified broadband equipment.”The Commission makes no findings regarding the costs of the
installed broadband equipment or other expenses.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Company’s Application for an Order confirming
that equipment it installed in 2012 is “qualified broadband equipment”is granted.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Order and a copy of the Application
be served on the Idaho State Tax Commission.
ORDER NO.32916 2
THIS IS A FINAL ORDER.Any person interested in this order (or in issues finally
decided by this order)may petition for reconsideration within twenty-one (21)days of the
service date of this order with regard to any matter decided in this order.Within seven (7)days
after any person has petitioned for reconsideration,any other person may cross-petition for
reconsideration.See Idaho Code §61-626 and 62-619.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this 2 ?
day of October 2013.
MACK A.REDFORD OMMISSIONER
iLa
MARSHA H.SMITH,C MMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Jdah D.Jewell
Commission Secretary
O:VZN-T-13-O3kk
ORDER NO.32916 3