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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20050209_1084.pdfDECISION MEMORANDUM TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER COMMISSIONER SMITH CO MMISSI 0 NER HANSEN COMMISSION SECRETARY LEGAL WORKING FILE FROM:GRACE SEAMAN DATE:FEBRUARY 2, 2005 RE:AMENDMENT TO THE INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN QWEST AND 1-800-RECONEX, INC. DBA USTEL; CASE NO. QWE-04-12. BACKGROUND Under the provisions of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, interconnection agreements must be submitted to the Commission for approval. 47 V.C. 9252(e)(1). The Commission may reject an agreement adopted by negotiations only if it finds that the agreement: (1) discriminates against a telecommunications carrier not a party to the agreement; or (2) implementation of the agreement is not consistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity. 47 V.C. 9252(e)(2)(A). As the Commission noted in Order No. 28427, companies voluntarily entering into interconnection agreements "may negotiate terms, prices and conditions that do not comply with either the FCC rules or with the provisions of Sections 251(b) or (c). Order No. 82427 at 11 (emphasis original). This comports with the FCC's statement that , " state commission shall have authority to approve an interconnection agreement adopted by negotiation even if the terms of the agreement do no comply with the requirements of (Part 51). 47 C.R. 9 51.3. THE CURRENT APPLICATION The Joint Application by Qwest and 1-800-Reconex, Inc. dba USTel seeks approval to amend the existing Interconnection Agreement approved by the Commission on June 22 2004. The amendment incorporates the Triennial Review Order (TRO) and the USTA II Decision. DECISION MEMORANDUM - 1 -FEBRUARY 2, 2005 ST AFF ANALYSIS Staff has reviewed the Application and does not find that any terms or conditions are discriminatory or contrary to the public interest. Staff believes that the agreement is consistent with the pro-competitive policies of this Commission, the Idaho Legislature, and the federal Telecommunications Act. Accordingly, Staff recommends Commission approval of the amendment. COMMISSION DECISION Does the Commission wish to approve the Application for amendment to the existing interconnection agreement? fiCf je Cuvt~ Grace Seaman i:udmemos/qwetO412 amend DECISION MEMORANDUM - 2-FEBRUARY 2 2005