BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of Qwest Corporation  )          DOCKET UT-001953
Tariff Revision: Introduces   )
A Custom Calling Feature   )  ORDER REQUIRING NOTICE 
Called I-CALLED    )  OF AVAILABILITY OF “I-CALLED”
      )  SERVICE  
      ) 
      )  
      )  
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ) 

BACKGROUND

On December 12, 2000, Qwest Corporation (Qwest) filed, under advise number 
3183T, a tariff revision to add a custom calling feature called “I-CALLED” to 
its local exchange service.  The I-CALLED service would intercept a customer's 
call if there were no answer after about six rings.  The intercept message 
would offer the calling party an opportunity, for a charge, to leave his name 
and number for later delivery.  If the calling party chose to accept the 
service, Qwest would attempt to deliver the information to the called party by 
returning the call periodically for up to four days or until the called party 
answers, whichever comes first.  Qwest has filed this service as a banded rate 
of $0.25-$1.50, with the initial price at $0.95.

Unlike most other custom calling features, I-CALLED is not a subscription 
service.  I-CALLED would be automatically activated by Qwest in those areas 
where it offered the service.  Existing local exchange customers would not be 
offered a choice as to whether or not they want the feature added to their 
service.  While the tariff states that customers would have the option of 
disconnecting the service, customers would not be informed of this option 
absent the notification requirement required by this Order. 

Staff recommended that the Commission suspend this filing in order to 
investigate its effect on existing local exchange service.  Staff stated that 
the I-CALLED feature could adversely effect customers' existing service and 
that, with no provision for notice to customers, customers would not be aware 
of their option to disconnect the feature.

An additional reason raised by Staff is that the I-CALLED service may not 
comply with the Commission's rules on automatic dialing and announcement 
devices, WAC 480-120-088.  This rule requires, among other things, that the 
recorded message on such a device identify the nature and length of the call 
and that the device provide a method to prevent dialing of unlisted telephone 
numbers.  Staff believe that the I-CALLED feature should be investigated to 
determine whether it complies with this rule.

Though the Commission opted to allow the tariff revision to go into effect, the 
Commission finds it is in the public interest that customers to whom the 
service is to be offered be notified of the details of the service prior to the 
availability of the service.  At the open meeting, representatives of Qwest 
agreed to this notice requirement. 


The Commission has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to RCW 80.01.040, RCW 
80.04.130, RCW 80.36.110, and WAC 480-80-120(5).
 
O R D E R 

Before the “I-CALLED” feature is offered, Qwest shall work with Staff to 
provide notice of the details of the feature offering, by bill stuffer or other 
direct mail, to those customers to whom the service will be automatically 
activated.


  IT IS ORDERED That:


  DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this           day of January, 
2001.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

     
      MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman



      RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner