20100111_2806.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KEMPTON
CO MMISSI 0 NER SMITH
COMMISSIONER REDFORD
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEG AL
WORKING FILE
FROM:CAROLEE HALL
DATE:JANUARY 5, 2010
RE:CENTURYTEL OF IDAHO, INc. ("CENTURYLINK") TARIFF ADVICE
09-02 REQUESTING AUTHORITY TO INTRODUCE NEW CUSTOM
CALLING SERVICES CALLED OUTBOUND CALL BLOCK FEATURE
AND THE ADDITION OF PURE BROADBAND BUNDLED PACKAGES.
CENTURYTEL IS ALSO ADDING ITS NEW CUSTOMER REFERRAL
PROGRAM FOR RESIDENCE CUSTOMERS. AN EFFECTIVE DATE
OF JANUARY 22, 2010 IS REQUESTED.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
On December 23 2009 , CenturyTel ofldaho, Inc. ("Century Link") filed Tariff Advice
09-02 requesting Commission approval to introduce a new Custom Calling service called:
Outbound Call Block and a new calling package called Pure Broadband bundle. The Company
is also introducing its new Customer Referral Program for residence customers.
Outbound Call Block, in the original filing, allowed the blocking of all outbound dialing
with the exception of abbreviated dialing for 911 (Emergency Reporting Services) and 711
(Service for Telecommunications Relay Services). Staff contacted the Company regarding the
other N11 1 calling options that had been excluded. The Company explained that they only
intended to have 911 and 711 , but after a number of conversations the Company changed its
filing to allow all NIl calling except 411 (Information Services). The exception of 411 calling is
to avoid operator completed calls, which can be quite costly for the consumer. This Outbound
Call Block service is subject to the availability of facilities and is only available to flat rate
business and residence One-Party Local Exchange Service customers.
1 An Ntt code or Ntt number (said as "N-one-one ) is a special abbreviated dialing telephone number within the
North American Numbering Plan, which allows access to special services such as: 211 Community Services; 311
Municipal government services (non-emergency); 411 Directory Assistance; 511 Traffic Information; 611
Telephone Company connection ( in some areas); 711 TDD Relay for the deaf; 811 Utility Location; and 911
Emergency Services.
DECISION MEMORANDUM JANUARY 5 , 2010
Pure Broadband Bundle includes a flat rate Residence or Business One-Party Local
Exchange Service and provides customers with High Speed Internet (1.5 Mbps or greater) where
technically feasible, subject to availability of facilities.
The final offering included in its Tariff Advice is Residence Customer Referral Program.
This service allows an existing residence customer an opportunity to receive a one-time $50 bill
credit when they submit a referral via the Company s Internet website that results in the
establishment of a new customer account for residential local exchange service. Each customer
is limited to a maximum of $600 in referral credits per calendar year.
ST AFF RECOMMENDATION AND COMMISSION DECISION
Staff has reviewed the Company s proposed service offerings and believes that it
enhances consumer s options for their telecommunications needs.
Staff recommends approval of the Company s Tariff Advice 09-02 with an effective date
of January 22 , 2010. Does the Commission agree?
u/chall/decision memo/CenturyTel ofJdaho (Century Link) Outbound Call Block, Custom Calling services, customer referral program et al.
DECISION MEMORANDUM JANUARY 5 , 2010