20160425_4953.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM:CAROLEE HALL
DATE:APRIL 15,2016
RE:ATC COMMUNICATION TARIFF ADVICE FILING TO REVISE ITS
LOCAL TARIFF I.P.U.C.NO.3.SEEKING COMMISSION APPROVAL
TO:I)UPDATE ITSAP RATES TO REFLECT CURRENT
STATE/FEDERAL GUIDELINES;2)INCREASE RATES FOR
MEASURED SERVICE TO COMPORT WITH FCC MANATED FLOOR;
3)CORRECT REPAIR TIME DEFINITIONS TO COMPORT WITH
COMMISSLON’S TELEPHONE CUSTOMER RELATIONS RULES AND
4)REPLACE EXCHANGE AREA MAPS WITH THOSE THAT MATCH
THE FCC DATA IN DA-12-1777.
BACKGROUND
On April 11,2016,ATC submitted a tariff advice letter seeking Commission approval to:
1.Update ITSAP Rates to reflect current State and Federal Guidelines.
2.Increase its Measured Service Rates for residential customers from S 16.00 to S 18.00.
3.Correct its repair time definitions to comport with the Commission’s Customer
Relations Rules.IDAPA 3 1.41,01.502.
4.Replace the Company’s exchange area maps with those that were obtained in FCC
DA-12-1777.
DISCUSSION
ITSAP Rates
The Lifeline rates for the Idaho Telecommunications Service Assistance Program
(ITSAP)have changed and the Company is revising its tariff to reflect those rates for both the
state and federal guidelines.The lifeline rates are used as a reduction or credit to the local
service charges normally paid by qualifying low-income consumers,The changes are:
DECISION MEMORANDUM -1-APRIL 15,2016
1.Federal Lifeline Reduction for residential access line:$9.25
2.State matching local rate reduction:$2.50
These reductions or credits are for residential one-party service.
ME.4SURED SERVICE RATES
Monthly Residential Measured Service rates will increase from $16.00 to $18.00 as a
result of the FCC’s USF/ICC Transfor,na1ion Order No.11-161,released on November 18,
2011.The Order established certain criteria for rate-of-return carriers to received federal high
cost loop support (HCLA).One such criterion was that the carrier’s local rate plus state fees
must meet the FCC’s established rate floor if it wished to avoid a corresponding reduction in its
HCLS.In its June 10,2014 order (See FCC 14-54 Report and Order)a multi-year schedule was
implemented for a multi-year transition for incumbent carriers and state commissions to make
any necessary rate adjustments.
REPAIR TIME FOR INTERR UPTION OF SER VICE
The Commission has revised its guidelines for service outages and repairs.The company
is updating its tariff advice to reflect the changes in the Commission’s Customer Relations Rules.
The changes reflect the wording in rule IDAPA 31.41.02.502.
EXCHAXGE MAP UPDATES
The FCC collected data on thc study area boundaries of all incumbent local exchange
carriers (ILECs)to use in the implementation of certain universal service reforms adopted in the
USFiJCC Transformation Order.The Company wishes to replace its original exchange maps
with the updated maps.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff has reviewed ATC’s filing and finds it to be in compliance with federal and state
requirements.Staff recommends Commission approval with the requested effective date of May
20,2016.
DECISION MEMORANDUM -2-APRIL 15,2016
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to approve ATC’s filing to be effective May 20,2016?
ChalI/u:dcc mcmo/ATC Communications April 11,2016
DECISION MEMORANDUM -3 -APRIL 15,2016