For Immediate Release / Feb 5, 2001

Contact: Gene Fadness (208) 334-0339

Rate center consolidation could delay need for area code

BOISE – The Idaho Public Utilities Commission approved the consolidation of 37 rate centers in Qwest’s southern Idaho territory into eight rate centers. That will mean more efficient use of the limited number of prefixes available to Idaho and possibly delay the need for a second or third area code in the state.

Rate centers are the geographic coordinates typically used by telephone companies for determining whether a call is a local or a long-distance call. The consolidated rate centers will not affect customers’ existing prefixes or their current local and long-distance calling areas. Some customers who subscribe to long-distance plans that are distance sensitive may be affected by consolidation. Qwest has been ordered to notify telecommunications’ carriers that may be affected and advise their consumers of the pending change.

The smaller number of rate centers will also increase the effectiveness of “number pooling,” which would also help delay a second or third area code for Idaho.

Last May, an administrator appointed by the Federal Communications Commission notified the commission that Idaho’s 208 area code would run out of telephone numbers during the third quarter of 2003. In response, the commission took more than 300 written comments and conducted four public hearings regarding the best way to bring area code relief in Idaho.

In early December, the commission ruled that with numbers conservation, Idaho does not need a new area code. However, in the event the Federal Communications Commission does not timely implement thousand-block number pooling, the commission recommends the state be split into three geographic regions with an area code assigned to each region.

Number pooling would free up about 5.78 million numbers assigned to telecommunications carriers but not in use. Currently, numbers are assigned to telecommunications providers in 10,000-number blocks. In March, the FCC will begin to allow pooling that breaks down those blocks into 1,000-number blocks. However, the Boise metropolitan area isn't scheduled for number pooling until March of 2003, two months after mandatory dialing for a new area code would likely begin. On Nov. 6, the Idaho commission filed a petition with the FCC to move the Boise area ahead in the pooling rollout schedule, which would likely extend the life of the 208 area code if granted. The commission has yet to hear from the FCC on that request.

Prefixes that are assigned, but unused, can be freed up only within the geographic boundaries of rate centers. Consolidating Qwest’s 37 rate centers into eight substantially expands the geographic scope of areas that could be assigned currently unused prefixes.

Qwest must file a consolidation implementation schedule with the commission by Feb. 21.