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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20090209_2470.pdfDECISION MEMORANDUM TO:COMMISSIONER REDFORD COMMISSIONER SMITH COMMISSIONER KEMPTON COMMISSION SECRETARY LEGAL WORKING FILE FROM:GRACE SEAMAN DATE:FEBRUARY 5, 2008 RE:RURAL TELEPHONE COMPANY BROADBAND TAX CREDIT FOR 2005-2008; CASE NO. RUR- T -09-01. BACKGROUND In 2001 , House Bill 377 was enacted authorizing income tax credit for the installation of qualifying broadband infrastructure in Idaho. Idaho Code 9 63-3029B(3)(a)(ii). In particular Section 63-30291 allows a taxpayer to receive an investment tax credit for eligible broadband equipment installed during a calendar year. Qualified broadband equipment" is defined as those network facilities capable of transmitting signals at a rate of at least 200 000 bits per seconds (bps) to a subscriber and at least 125 000 bps from a subscriber. Idaho Code 963-3029I(3)(b). To be eligible for the broadband equipment tax credit, the taxpayer must obtain from the Commission an Order confirming that installed equipment qualifies for capital investment credit. Procedural Order No. 28784 and Idaho Code 963-30291(4). THE APPLI CA TI 0 On January 27 2009, the Commission received an Application from Rural Telephone Company (Rural), seeking approval of equipment for the broadband tax credit. Rural' Application lists the broadband investments made during a three-year period beginning on January 2005 through December 2007. Rural states that its broadband network includes a collaboration of Rural Telephone Company and Syringa Network, LLC fiber serving several locations throughout Elmore County. Rural offers services to customers at transmission rates of DECISION MEMORANDUM - 1 -FEBRUARY 5 , 2009 544 Mbps and higher. The Company states that the equipment was installed in Idaho for its Idaho subscribers and that it invested approximately $1.1 million dollars in qualifying broadband equipment during the calendar years of2005, 2006 and 2007. STAFF REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION Staff has reviewed the list of proposed broadband equipment submitted by Rural and believes the identified equipment qualifies for the investment tax credit pursuant to Procedural Order No. 28784 and Idaho Code 9 63-3029I(3)(b). Staff also believes that the expenditures identified by Rural, a telecommunications provider, were for equipment that is "necessary for the provision of broadband services and an integral part of a broadband network." Staff, therefore recommends acceptance of Rural's Application and further recommends that the Commission forward the approving Order along with a copy ofthe original Application to the Idaho Tax Commission. COMMISSION DECISION Should the Commission accept Rural Telephone Company s Application for the broadband investment tax credit? !fh (l DvM tW- Grace Seaman Gs: umemos/RuralTelCoO5- DECISION MEMORANDUM - 2 -FEBRUARY 5 , 2009