20030421_446.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER SMITH
CO MMISSI 0 NER HANSEN
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM:DOUG COOLEY
DATE:APRIL 17, 2003
RE:PETITION OF IAT COMMUNICATIONS FOR DESIGNATION AS
ELI GIBLE TELECO MMUNI CA TI 0 NS CARRIER. GNR- T -03-
BACKGROUND
On February 3 2003 , the Commission received a Petition from rAT Communications
Inc., d.a. Clear Talk seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) in
connection with its wireless telecommunication offerings to consumers within its authorized
service areas. Clear Talk states that it provides service in areas currently served by one or more
of the following ETCs in southeast Idaho: Albion Telephone Company, Filer Mutual Telephone
Company, Citizens Telecommunications, Fremont Telecom, Project Mutual Telephone
Cooperative, and Qwest Corporation.
DISCUSSION
Clear Talk's Petition states that it currently offers each of the services required by Order
No. 27715 such as voice-grade access to the public switched network, emergency services
interexchange service, operator services, directory assistance and the functional equivalent of
dual-tone signaling using its existing network and contracts with other carriers as necessary. The
Company further states that it will advertise the price and availability of these services pursuant
to Idaho Code 9 62-610D and that these offerings will promote competition and customer
choice.
DECISION MEMORANDUM APRIL 17 , 2003
RECOMMENDATION
Designating multiple ETCs in an area, including wireless carriers, and the associated
universal service support has received significant national attention and remains under
consideration at the Federal Coinmunications Commission. I Staff understands that, prior to
designation as an ETC, this Commission will consider public interest factors and the potential
impacts on universal service support. Because this issue is of interest to several parties and is the
first Petition for ETC status from a wireless carrier in Idaho, Staff recommends that this case be
processed by Modified Procedure and that a twenty-eight day comment period be established.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to proceed by Modified Procedure and establish a twenty-
eight day comment period on the question of Clear Talk's Petition for ETC status?
i:udmemos/clear talk dm
1 Public Notice - Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service Seeks Comment on Certain o/the Commission
Rules Relating to High-Cost Universal Service Support and the ETC Designation Process. CC Docket No. 96-45.
ReI. February 7 2003.
DECISION MEMORANDUM APRIL 17, 2003