20030509_458.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER HANSEN
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM:JOE CUSICK
DATE:MAY 7, 2003
RE:FORMAL COMPLAINT REGARDING VERIZON NORTHWEST'
IMPLEMENTATION OF 211.
BACKGROUND
On May 7 2003, the Commission received the attached letter from Ms. Deb Krum
representing 211 Idaho. 211 Idaho is the organization that has been behind the implementation
of public access to community health and human services infonnation in Idaho by dialing 211.
The purpose of the letter was to file a fonnal complaint against Verizon Northwest regarding the
cost of providing 211 in its service territory.
The letter states that, beginning in May 2002, 211 Idaho has established 211 service with
twenty-three Idaho telephone companies by translating 211 to a local number in Boise or a 1-800
number that reaches a call center. Twenty-one companies provided this at no charge. Qwest's
total charges amounted to $3 059 to implement 211 in its service territory based on a $300 one-
time charge for the state and a charge of$30 per office. However, Verizon s quote to 211 Idaho
was approximately $12 189 to establish 211 within its Idaho service areas based on a charge of
$420 per office. Ms. Krum believes these charges are cost prohibitive and have delayed 211
implementation for more than six months.
RECOMMENDATION
Staffhas worked with several telephone companies and Ms. Krum at 211 Idaho during
the implementation of211 in Idaho and is familiar with this issue. Staff recommends that a case
be opened to investigate the issues raised in this complaint.
COMMISSION DECISION
DECISION MEMORANDUM MAY 7 2003
Does the Commission wish to open a case to investigate the fonnal complaint from 211
Idaho?
JOeC
i:udmemos/211 dec memo
DECISION MEMORANDUM MAY 7 , 2003
FROM : MSG FRX NO. : 208 336 0880 Ma~. 07 2003 12: 35PM P2
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IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Ul it I TIES COMMtBS'IO~POBOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
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May 1, 2003
Dear Commissioners:
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The purpose of this letter is to file a formal complaint against Vertzon concerning charses for211 number translatIons we believe to be excessive. I am the Director for 211 Idaho and haveworked with our Project Coordinator to secure full statewide implementation of 211 service.The northern region of Idaho where Verizon provides service fs the only area in the state thatlacks access to 211.
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211 is a nationally recognized non-profit organization utilizing a number designated by the FCCfor pubLic access to health and human services. A unified system such as 211 streamlines theconnection between a community and its resources. The benefits of this service were realizedduring the September 11 events of 2001. While 911 services were unavaflable due to occupiedlines, 211 proved to be a direct link to vital services and goods.
Initial implementation of 211 services in Idaho began in May of 2002. Since Inception, 211launched service with 23 privately owned telephone companies both regulated and cooperative.
Implementation of 211 services involve utilizing a simple number translation system , whichdirects the 211 number to a local number in Boise or to a 1.800 number to access the 211 callcenter. Twenty one telephone companies quickly responded and provided this service free
charge. Qwest agreed to implement the service and charged an Initial non-recurring set up
fee of $300 and a $30 per exchange cost. In total, Qwest charges amounted to $3,059.97 implement 211 in their coverage area.
Dfscussions concerning implementation with Verizon were initiated in November of 2002 with
Verizon. At that time, Verizon staff advised us to Issue a request for an Individual Case Basedpricing which would require the use of an Advanced Intelligent Network (something they did
not at the time possess). The price he quoted was for a 36-month term of $420 per exchangeresulting In total charges of 512,189. Our office then contacted the IPUC where we were told
that the use of an AIN was not necessary and seemed excessIve for 211 translation purposes.
As a result of Verizon s unwillingness to provIde competitIve pricing, statewide implementationof 211 has been delayed over six months. In addition, continued funding for 211 Idaho iscontingent upon statewide availability. We believe Verizon s charges are cost prohIbitive to
our efforts and represent a disproportionate charge for the service needed to Implement 211.
Our request of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission is to negotiate with Verizon a price that iscomparable to Qwest's set.up and exchange charges. Thank you for your consIderation and'for
responding to our time-sensitive request. Our paramount goal is to provid~ vital resources all Idaho communIties.
SinCerelY'
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Deb Kr
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Director, 211 Idaho
1607 W. Jefferson Street
Bolss, Idaho 83702
. phone: [phone] ext.293
fax: [phone]
amelI: lynn~211idaho.com
www.2111daho.com
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