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Home My WebLink About20060912Workpapers 4.pdfGIVE SLEY LLP RECEIVED LAW OFFICES 601 W. Bannock Street PO Box 2720, Boise, Idaho 83701 TELEPHONE: 208 388-1200 FACSIMilE: 208 388-1300 WEBSITE: www.givenspursley.com Gary G. Allen2006 AU.GreUh lBti 4: 53 w. Hugh O'Riordan, lLM. Kristen A. Atwood Michael P. Lawrence Bradley V. Sneed Kelly T. Barbour Wf&i ~ktini~j I c H. Barton Thomas, lLM. Chnstopher~lijel'f( ' ihf,a,l8510 ScotiA. Tschirgi lLM. Wilham C. delellL 1141 r~. Will Varin Michael C. Creamer Kenneth R. McClure Conley E. Ward Thomas E. Dvorak Kelly Greene McConnell Robert B. White Roy Lewis Eiguren Cynthia A. Melillo Terri R. Yost Jeffrey C. Fereday Christopher H. Meyer Martin C. Hendrickson L Edward MillerSteven J. Hippler Patrick J. Milier Debora K. Kristensen Judson B. MontgomeryAnne C. Kunkei Angeia K. Nelson Deborah E. Nelson RETIRED Kenneth L Pursley Raymond D. Givens James A. McCiureVia Hand Deliverv August 14, 2006 Daniel Klein Idaho Public Utilities Commission 472 W. Washington O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0074 Re:In the Matter ofthe Investigation of Rural Telephone Company s Compliance with Commission Rules, Case No. RUR-06- Dear Mr. Klein: Regarding your additional questions concerning the above-referenced Commission inquiry, I am forwarding the following responses from Rural Telephone Company s officers: Question:Regarding the microwave towers, did solar panel angles change after the outages during the period of November 2005 through January 2006? Response:Yes, the angles were changed to better facilitate the direction/angle of the winter Sull. With this changed aspect they should provide equally effective performance during the spring, summer and fall, and better performance during the winter months. Question:Does Rural Telephone receive any type of telemetry signals (i.warning notices) when the repeaters have switched over to battery back-up and, if so, for how long? If not, would Rural Telephone consider installing such a device/software? Response:The repeaters operate full time by battery power. The solar panels serve only to charge the batteries, which then power the repeaters at all times. Therefore, Rural does not believe that a telemetry signal of the type the Commission has asked about is feasible. To further ensure that the batteries remain adequately charged at all times, Rural is investigating the possibility of installing a system wherein the excess voltage from the wind turbines could provide power to heat tape that would be attached to the solar panels to help eliminate or alleviate the accumulation of ice/snow on the solar panels. Also, when the wind Daniel Klein August 14, 2006 Page 2 turbines are installed in the coming weeks, the battery boxes at the repeaters will be painted black to help retain heat. Question:Regarding wind turbines, do any other telecom companies use the make/model of wind turbines Rural Telephone purchased, and in the same manner Rural Telephone will be using them? Response:Rural is unaware of whether other telecom companies use wind turbines, or if , whether they might use the kind of turbines that Rural is installing. Rural contacted the manufacturer of these commercial wind turbines and explained in detail the nature of the problem it was experiencing and the resolution required. Rural relied on the manufacturer expertise in recommending the type of system that Rural will be installing. Question:What was the cost of the wind turbines? Response:The purchase price for the two wind turbines (one for each site) totaled 828. Question:Can Rural Telephone supply historical data on all outages caused by snow/ice accumulation? Response:Rural Telephone has no further information on outages caused by snow/ice accumulation other than what already has been submitted to the Commission. Question:How does Rural Telephone plan to comply with Rule 105? Response:Rural will include a mailer in each customer s billing statement each October setting forth Rule 105 in its entirety (see enclosure). If you have any questions regarding this information please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Enclosure cc:Rural Telephone Company M CC : kdt S:\CLIENTS\1716\28\MCC Itr to puc re additional questions,doc NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS TELEPHONE CUSTOMER INFORMATION RULES IDAPA 31.41. 105. TELEPHONE SOLICITATIONS (Rule 105). Each telephone company providing local exchange service must summarize the provisions of Sections 48-1001 et seq., Idaho Code , in an annual insert in a billing statement mailed to customers or by conspicuous publication in the consumer pagesof the local telephone directory. Local exchange companies may meet the requirements of this notice by publishing the following explanation or one substantially similar: (7-93) IMPORTANT NOTICE CONCERNING PURCHASE OF GOODS AND SERVICES BY TELEPHONE You have important rights under the Idaho Telephone Solicitation Act. Under this Act it is illegal for persons attempting to sell you goods or services by telephone (telephone solicitors): (7-93) To intimidate or harass you in connection with the attempted sale. (7-93) To refuse to hang up and free your telephone line immediately once you request them to do so. (7-93) To misstate the price , quality, or availability of goods or services , or to fail to reveal all material terms relating to the sale of goods or services. (7-93) To advertise , represent or imply that they have the endorsement of any government office or agency when they do not. (7-93) 4 TELEPHONE CUSTOMER INFORMATION RULES IDAPA 31.41. To advertise , represent or imply that they have a valid registration number with the Attorney General when they do not. (7-93) . . To use any unfair method of competition or unfair or deceptive practice. (7-93) Any person not yet eighteen (18) years old who purchases goods or services pursuant to a telephone solicitation may cancel the purchase within a reasonable time after the purchase is made. No parent or legal guardian having custody of a person not yet eighteen (18) years old is liable for the purchase of goods or services by a person not yet eighteen (18) years old pursuant to telephone solicitation. (7-93) When you agree to purchase goods or services over the telephone , you may have a right to reconsider and cancel your agreement for three business days after receiving a written confirmation of the sale. (7-93) A person whose rights are violated by telephone solicitors may have the right to declare a contract of purchase null and void or invoke other remedies under the Idaho Consumer Protection Act. (7-93) If you believe that a telephone solicitor has done any unlawful acts , you may contact the Attorney General's Office for assistance and information at: 1 (800) 432-3545 (toll-free) or 334-2424 (Boise area). (7-93) (Adopted , G.O. 181 D. Statutory Reference: Idaho Code ~ 48-1001.