20200715Notice_of_Application_Order_No_34722.pdf

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34722 1
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
July 15, 2020
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF QWEST
CORPORATION DBA CENTURYLINK QC’S
TARIFF FILING DISCONTINUING
PRORATING OF CLOSING BILLS FOR
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS

IN THE MATTER OF CENTURYTEL OF
IDAHO, INC. DBA CENTURYLINK’S
TARIFF FILING DISCONTINUING
PRORATING OF CLOSING BILLS FOR
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS

IN THE MATTER OF CENTURYLINK
COMMUNICATIONS LLC’S TARIFF
FILING, DISCONTINUING PRORATING OF
CLOSING BILLS FOR RESIDENTIAL
CUSTOMERS

IN THE MATTER OF CENTURYTEL OF
THE GEM STATE, INC. DBA
CENTURYLINK’S FILING
DISCONTINUING PRORATING OF
CLOSING BILLS FOR RESIDENTIAL
CUSTOMERS
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CASE NOS. QWE-T-20-04
CEN-T-20-03
QCC-T-20-01
CGS-T-20-03

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF
MODIFIED PROCEDURE

ORDER NO. 34722
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On July 1, 2020, Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC, CenturyTel of Idaho, Inc.
dba CenturyLink, CenturyLink Communications, LLC, and CenturyTel of the Gem State, Inc. dba
CenturyLink (collectively “CenturyLink”) filed changes to its tariffs with the Commission.
CenturyLink proposes to discontinue prorating for the final bills of residential customers.
CenturyLink proposed a July 17, 2020 effective date for the modified tariffs.
At the July 7, 2020 Decision Meeting, Commission Staff noted the adverse impact
CenturyLink’s modified tariffs would have on its residential customers, and suggested the
Commission initiate a formal proceeding to determine whether the proposed tariffs comply with
the Commission’s regulatory requirements.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34722 2
With this Order, the Commission converts CenturyLink’s proposed tariff modifications
into an Application to be processed by Modified Procedure, suspends CenturyLink’s proposed
effective date, and establishes comment deadlines.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that CenturyLink’s proposed tariff modifications
would discontinue prorating of a residential customer’s final bill. Under CenturyLink’s current
tariffs, a residential customer’s final bill is prorated from the date of cancellation, and service
ceases on or shortly after the date of cancellation. Under the proposed change, a residential
customer that cancels service during the billing cycle will pay the full amount for that billing cycle.
However, the customer will continue to receive service during the billing cycle.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that CenturyLink has issued, or is in the process of
issuing, notice to affected customers of the proposed tariff modifications, as required by Idaho
Code § 62-606(1).
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that CenturyLink is a Title-62 telephone
corporation. See Idaho Code §§ 62-603(14) and 62-604. The Commission has broad “continuing
authority [over Title 62 telephone corporations] to determine the noneconomic regulatory
requirements relating to basic local exchange service for all telephone corporations providing basic
local exchange service including, but not limited to, such matters as service quality standards,
provisions of access to carriers providing message telecommunication service, filing of price lists,
customer notice and customer relation rules, and billing practices and procedures, which
requirements shall be technologically and competitively neutral.” Idaho Code § 62-605(5)(b).
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has received four customer
complaints regarding the proposed tariff modifications.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application is available for public
inspection during regular business hours at the Commission’s office. The Application is also
available on the Commission’s web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the “TELEPHONE” tab
at the top of the home page, then select “Open Cases” and then locate and click on the case number
as shown on the front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission’s jurisdiction under Title 62 of the Idaho Code and specifically Idaho

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34722 3
Code §§ 62-605 and 62-606. The Commission may enter any final Order consistent with its
authority under Title 62.
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.
SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that, given the public interest in having adequate
time to comment on this case, the Commission finds it appropriate to suspend CenturyLink’s
proposed effective date of July 17, 2020 for 60 days, unless the Commission issues an earlier order
accepting, rejecting, or modifying CenturyLink’s Application. See Idaho Code §§ 62-605(5)(b)
and 62-606.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the public
interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter, and that it will proceed under Modified
Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA
31.01.01.201 through .204. The Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written comments
have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that anyone desiring to state a position on this
Application must file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission by August
3, 2020. The comment must explain why the person supports or opposes the Application. Persons
desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments. Written comments
concerning this Application shall be sent electronically, unless e-mail is not available, to the
Commission and the Applicant at the e-mail addresses reflected below:
For the Idaho PUC:

Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
[e-mail]

Street Address for Express Mail:

11331 W. Chinden Blvd.
Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boise, ID 83714
For CenturyLink:

Jennifer Somers
250 E 200 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
[e-mail]

Josie Addington
1600 7th Ave., Room 1506
Seattle, WA 98191
[e-mail]

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34722 4

Comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this
document. Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the
Commission’s home page located at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the “Case Comment Form” under
“Consumers,” and complete the comment form using the case number as it appears on the front of
this document. These comments must also be sent to the Applicant.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that CenturyLink must file any reply comments by
August 10, 2020.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests 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.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that CenturyLink’s proposed July 17, 2020 effective date
is suspended for 60 days, unless the Commission issues an earlier order accepting, rejecting, or
modifying the Application. See Idaho Code §§ 62-605(5)(b) and 62-606.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that CenturyLink’s Application be processed by
Modified Procedure, Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204). Persons interested in submitting
written comments must do so by August 3, 2020. CenturyLink must file any reply comments by
August 10, 2020.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties should continue to comply with Order No.
34602, issued March 17, 2020. All pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically
and shall be deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule 14.02.
Service between parties should also be accomplished electronically. Voluminous discovery-related
documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.
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NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO. 34722 5

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 15th
day of July, 2020.

PAUL KJELLANDER, PRESIDENT

KRISTINE RAPER, COMMISSIONER

ERIC ANDERSON, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Diane M. Hanian
Commission Secretary