Public Forum on Sierra Telephone Company's Rate Request
| Date | 04/11/2022 |
|---|---|
| Time | 06:00 PM |
| Location | Remote access via webcast or phone |
| Call-in-Number | 1-800-857-1917 |
| Participant PASSCODE | 6032788# |
| Contact | public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov |
| Webcast | https://www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc |
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) wants to hear from you! A Public Participation Hearing (PPH) has been scheduled to receive your comments about Sierra Telephone Company, Inc.'s (Sierra) request to adjust its rates and for other further relief, as discussed more fully below. The remote hearing location, date and time, and details on how to view and participate are listed above. Any customer may observe the remote PPH via the webcast information provided above. To participate and provide public comment, dial the toll-free telephone number and provide the passcode noted above. When it is time for public comment, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will make an announcement through the telephone line for those who wish to speak. Participants who wish to speak must then press “star one (*1)” to alert the operator, who will queue the speakers one-at-a-time and announce each speaker’s name at the allotted time.
WHEN: April 11, 2022, 6 p.m.
WHERE: Remote access via webcast or phone for the public forum:
- Live video broadcast with English or Spanish captions via webcast: www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc
- Participants who choose to participate via webcast only will have audio and video, but will not be able to make verbal comment. If you would like to make comments during the meeting, refer to the phone-in information below.
- For captions, after clicking on the name of the workshop, click the green button below the video for captions. Then select captions by clicking on the white icon next to the word “live” at the bottom of the video.
- The forums will also be recorded and archived for future viewing.
- Phone: 800-857-1917, passcode: 6032788#
- Participants will have audio and will be able to make comments.
If you need a language or sign interpreter, or would like to request assisted listening devices, please contact the CPUC's Public Advisor's Office (PAO) at least five business days prior to the hearing. An ALJ from the CPUC will be presiding at this PPH to listen to concerns, comments, and opinions on the application. One or more Commissioners or their advisors may attend, but no decisions will be reached at this hearing. In addition, representatives of Sierra and the Public Advocates Office will attend the PPH and be available to answer any questions. All public comments from this PPH will be included in the administrative record of this proceeding and become public record.
You may also submit written public comments at any time directly to the PAO at the address noted at the bottom of this notice. You may also submit written public comments by using the “Add Public Comment” button on the “Public Comment” tab of the Docket Card for A.21-11-005 at https://apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2111005.
ABOUT THE APPLICATION
On November 1, 2021, Sierra filed an application with the CPUC requesting a review of its intrastate rates, revenue requirement, and rate design. Sierra has not proposed to change the prices for its basic residential or basic business rates. Sierra’s application includes a request to review California High Cost Fund-A (CHCF-A) amounts that the company receives. Sierra's current residential end user rate is $25.00 per month, which Sierra’s application explains is approximately $35.77 when applicable federal and state fees and surcharges are included. This rate is consistent with the Commission’s decision resolving Phase 2 of the CHCF-A proceeding, Decision 21-06-004, which found that small incumbent local exchange carriers' residential basic rates must be set within a range of $30.00 to $40.00, including federal and state fees and surcharges. Sierra proposes to modify its basic single‐line residential and business rates to include the following custom calling features and voicemail for the same price as the current basic rates: Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, Three‐Way Calling, Speed Dialing, Distinctive Ring, Toll Restriction, Call Blocking, Caller ID, Automatic Callback, Call Return, Anonymous Call Rejection, Selective Call Rejection, Calling Name and Number, Call Trace, Repeat Dialing, and Find Me Service. Sierra also proposes to eliminate Sierra's two‐party line service effective January 1, 2023. In addition, Sierra proposes to implement a robocall mitigation service as part of basic rates, and at no additional charge to customers.
More info: www.cpuc.ca.gov/pph