Idaho Admin. Code r. 31.46.01.106

Current through September 2, 2024
Section 31.46.01.106 - APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS - ORDERS FOR FUNDING
01.Eligibility. Pursuant to 62-610, Idaho Code, a telephone corporation that provides local exchange service and access service for MTS/WATS providers may apply for disbursement from the USF if:
a. Its average residence and business rates for local exchange service for one-party, single-line services exceed one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the weighted statewide average rates for one-party, single-line services for residence and business lines, respectively; and
b. Its average rates per minute for MTS/WATS access services exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the weighted statewide average rate for the same or similar MTS/WATS access services.
02.Continuation of Eligibility. Each telephone company's average rate for one-party single-line residence and business service and for MTS/WATS access service shall be calculated individually and compared to the threshold rate based on the newly calculated statewide average as calculated annually by the Administrator pursuant to Rule 302. In order to continue receiving USF funding after the first year of eligibility, the rate shall be revised to equal or exceed the threshold rate, if a company's average for one-party single-line residence or business service or its rate for MTS/WATS access service is below the threshold rate and if:
a. The difference in the company's current average rate and the statewide average threshold rate is greater than three percent (3%); and
b. The difference in the annual revenue associated with the company's current rate and the revenue associated with the statewide average threshold rate is over six thousand dollars ($6,000).
03.Form of Application. An application for initial USF funding or changes in USF funding may be made in a general rate case or as otherwise allowed by the Commission. Applications must quantify the USF funding sought and the proposed rates to be charged for one-party, single-line residence and business services and for MTS/WATS access services, indicating how USF funding will benefit the rates for these services. Applications must comply with the Commission's Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
04.Changes to Funding on Commission's Own Motion. The Commission on its own motion may by order change a telephone company's funding from the USF:
a. In connection with any proceeding affecting the telephone company's residual revenue requirement;
b. In connection with a recalculation of the statewide average rates for one-party, single-line residence and business rates and MTS/WATS access services and those recalculations' effect on the threshold for eligibility for funding;
c. In connection with redetermination of the percentage of the residual revenue requirement that should be met by the USF; or
d. As otherwise provided by order. No order altering a telephone company's funding from the USF will be issued without notice that USF funding is at issue and appropriate opportunity to be heard in person or in writing.
05.Order for Disbursement. If the Commission finds that an applicant is eligible for USF disbursements, it may issue an order directing the USF to meet between seventy-five percent (75%) and one hundred percent (100%) of the telephone corporation's residual revenue requirement as defined in Section 62-610(4), Idaho Code. See Rule 005.10. Disbursements from the USF shall be made monthly in one twelfth (1/12) of the annual disbursements ordered by the Commission.

Idaho Admin. Code r. 31.46.01.106

Effective March 31, 2022