19971223Lifeline Letter.doc

December 23, 1997

VIA FED EX

Universal Service Administrative Company
Attn: John Ricker
100 South Jefferson Road
Whippany, N.J. 07981

Re: Idaho Public Utilities Commission Approval of Reduction in Intrastate Rate Paid by Lifeline Customers

Dear Sir:

In compliance with the FCCs Universal Service Order, CC Docket No. 96-45, FCC 97-157, and FCC Public Notice DA 97-1892, released September 29, 1997, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission hereby certifies that each Eligible Telecommunications Carriers Lifeline Plan complies with the FCCs rules, with the exception discussed below, and states the number of qualifying low-income consumers and the amount of state assistance.

The revised Lifeline program qualification criteria are based solely on income or factors directly related to income. 47 CFR 54.401- 409. The state of Idahos current Lifeline statute currently includes an age limitation in addition to the income criteria. In order to meet the revised Lifeline qualification criteria, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission petitioned the FCC for a waiver from this requirement to allow the Idaho Legislature to consider amending Idahos current Lifeline statute to meet revised Lifeline program qualification criteria. A copy of that petition is enclosed.

Tariff revisions were submitted by each ETC, examined by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission Staff for compliance with the new FCC requirements and approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission examined revised tariffs for all the eligible telecommunications carriers in Idaho and is satisfied that Lifeline programs for all its eligible telecommunications carriers will be in compliance with the revised federal guidelines, with the exception of the age criterion included in current Idaho statute and the subject of a waiver request. Assuming the Idaho Legislature amends the statutory criteria in 1998, new tariffs based on income-only qualifications will be effective beginning July 1, 1998.

The current total number of Lifeline customers is approximately 6,456 and the amount of monthly state assistance is approximately $22,625 for an annualized amount of approximately $271,500. Attached is a list of those ETCs designated by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. The number of each companys Lifeline customers and the amount of monthly state assistance is broken down and included in that list.

Sincerely,

Cheri Copsey
Deputy Attorney General

cc: Sheryl Todd
Federal Communications Commission
Universal Service Branch
CC Docket No. 96-45
2100 M Street, N.W., 8th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20554

Office of the Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
CC Docket No. 96-45
1919 M Street, N.W., Room 222
Washington, D.C. 20554