ORDER NO. 97-441

ENTERED NOV 17 1997

This is an electronic copy.

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION

OF OREGON

UT 125 Phase II

DISPOSITION: RATES GO INTO EFFECT SUBJECT TO REFUND

On October 31, 1997, U S WEST Communications, Inc. (USWC) filed Transmission No. 97-037-PL Supplement No. 1. The filing is an addition to the Exchange and Network Services Price List, Section 9, Central Office Services.

USWC’s filing introduced two new options associated with Centrex Plus Service, USWC’s principal Centrex-type service. USWC proposes nonrecurring charges for each of these services. The first service is a Line Identification Data Base (LIDB) listing, which allows customers to have names and numbers other than a customer’s primary listing entered into the data base. LIDB provides for the delivery of name and number information to customers subscribing to Caller Identification Service. The rate proposed is $3.50 per line.

The second service is a "chip-in" charge. Customers not wishing to change their telephone number to the existing Centrex Plus system telephone number range may keep their existing telephone number(s) within the normal serving central office as an option. Originally, USWC proposed an $85.00 nonrecurring charge per bulk order of up to 20 lines for the chip-in option. Based on concerns raised by one of the Centrex resellers regarding applying this charge on a per order basis, USWC revised the chip-in rate to $4.25 per line. It has also added a Uniform Service Order Code for the chip-in charge.

USWC originally filed its Advice on September 12 to be effective October 12, but subsequently extended the effective date, first to October 22, then to November 5, and then again to the current date of December 5. The extensions were made to allow additional time to discuss filing details with some competitive telecommunications providers (Centrex resellers). In connection with these extensions, USWC requests a waiver of statutory notice to incorporate changes based on discussion with other parties and to meet the November 4 Commission public meeting deadline.

USWC submitted a cost study with its filing, which shows that the proposed rates cover long run incremental costs. The company estimates that this filing will increase annual net revenues by approximately $22,000 and gross revenues by approximately $105,000. Nearly all of the net revenues would come from the new Caller ID LIDB service.

Commission Staff reviewed the company’s filing and recommended that the filed tariff be allowed to go into effect.

At its November 4, 1997, public meeting, the Commission reviewed the tariff and determined to allow the proposed LIDB rate to go into effect. The rate is effective subject to refund under ORS 759.185(4). The rate will be reviewed as part of the rate design phase of USWC’s rate case in this docket. The Commission voted to set its discussion of the chip-in charge over to the December 2, 1997, public meeting. USWC agreed that the chip-in and LIDB charges should be treated separately, although they were initially included in one filing.

The Commission granted waiver of statutory notice.

ORDER

IT IS ORDERED that:

1. The chip-in charge and the LIDB from Transmittal No. 97-037-PL supplemental will be treated separately.

2. The proposed LIDB rate from Transmittal No. 97-037-PL supplemental will go into effect, effective December 5, 1997, subject to refund.

3. The proposed LIDB rate will be reviewed as part of USWC’s rate design case in this docket.

4. Statutory notice for Transmittal No. 97-037-PL supplemental is waived.

Made, entered, and effective ________________________.

A party may request rehearing or reconsideration of this order pursuant to ORS 756.561. A request for rehearing or reconsideration must be filed with the Commission within 60 days of the date of service of this order. The request must comply with the requirements in OAR 860-014-0095. A copy of any such request must also be served on each party to the proceeding as provided by OAR 860-013-0070(2). A party may appeal this order to a court pursuant to ORS 756.580.

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