News Release

 

TO: EDITORS, NEWS DIRECTORS

DATE: June 12, 2000

FOR: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

U S WEST - Qwest Merger: Hearing Officer Issues Opinion and Recommended Order

Phoenix - The Arizona Corporation Commission's Chief Hearing Officer has issued an Opinion and Recommended Order in the merger of U S WEST Communications and Qwest Communications. This document will be posted on the Commission's website at www.cc.state.az.us under the Hot Topics link.

The Chief Hearing Officer, Mr. Jerry Rudibaugh, is an Administrative Law Judge. Based on evidence presented, testimony and cross examination of the parties, the Opinion and Recommended Order declares that the merger should be approved, subject to the conditions outlined in the document.

Mr. Rudibaugh released his Recommended Order with this statement: "The majority of the conditions proposed in my order will require the applicants to emphasize quality of service to Arizona ratepayers and to protect Arizona ratepayers from any increased costs resulting from the merger." The Residential Utility Consumer Office (RUCO), Communications Workers of America - Arizona State Council, Telephone Retiree Association of Arizona and Commission Staff each proposed that conditions be attached to approval of the merger.

Interested parties are urged to review the complete text of the Opinion and Recommended Order for a discussion of all major conditions proposed by the parties.

The matter now moves on to a vote of Arizona's three Commissioners. A discussion, public comment period and vote of the Commissioners will be taken in a publicly-noticed Special Open Meeting. The Commissioners have the authority to accept, amend or deny any or all of the Chief Hearing Officer's findings.

Timeline & Background
  • On September 3, 1999, U S WEST Communications, along with Qwest Communications and their affiliates submitted a Joint Notice of Proposed Merger.
  • Supporting documents were submitted over the next several months and information pertinent to the transaction was exchanged between the Commission and parties to the proceeding.
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  • In January of 2000 the matter was set for hearing in March. The subsequent filing of supplemental information on how Qwest planned to divest itself of certain (interLATA) long distance assets caused the hearing to be postponed until April 27, 2000. A public comment session was held on March 29, 2000.
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  • On April 27, 2000, the hearing commenced before an Administrative Law Judge of the Commission. U S WEST, Qwest, the Residential Utility Consumer Office and Staff presented evidence. Additionally, SBC Telcom and the Communications Workers of America ? Arizona State Council made appearances and cross examined witnesses.
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  • At the conclusion of the hearing, the parties were asked to submit briefs stating their respective positions. Briefs were due and submitted on May 12, 2000.
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  • In the absence of a settlement agreement, the Chief Hearing Officer - an Administrative Law Judge - prepared his summation of the proceedings in the form of an Opinion and Recommended Order. This is the document released today.
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  • Parties will have at least 10 (ten) days to file exceptions to today's filing.
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  • The matter will be scheduled for an Open Meeting and vote of Arizona's three Commissioners.

    • For more information, please check the Commission's website at www.cc.state.az.us.

    Opinion and Recommended Order

     

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