WEBVTT

00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:12.319
The feed for this stream. Welcome to the public participation

00:00:12.329 --> 00:00:15.028
hearing where we will take public input on Calaveras

00:00:15.038 --> 00:00:18.298
telephone general rate case applications on this day

00:00:18.309 --> 00:00:26.109
Monday, March 18th, 2024.

00:00:26.109 --> 00:00:29.408
Your honor. You may begin. All right. Thank you very

00:00:29.420 --> 00:00:35.020
much operator. Um uh Before we start, can I confirm

00:00:35.029 --> 00:00:37.139
with the court reporter that we are ready to begin

00:00:38.859 --> 00:00:42.779
Be judge? All right, thank you very much. Uh We are

00:00:42.789 --> 00:00:45.439
now on the record.

00:00:45.439 --> 00:00:47.889
Good evening, everyone. The commission will come to

00:00:47.899 --> 00:00:53.139
order today is Monday, March 15th 20 24 and this is

00:00:53.149 --> 00:00:56.279
the remote public participation hearing for the rate

00:00:56.289 --> 00:01:01.840
case um for the general rate case application of Cali

00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:06.409
of Calabar telephone company whose application number

00:01:06.418 --> 00:01:09.260
is a

00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:15.198
23-11 dash 0 11. My name is David Van Dyken and I

00:01:15.209 --> 00:01:19.528
am the administrative law judge assigned to this proceeding

00:01:20.019 --> 00:01:23.719
The assigned commissioner for this proceeding is Commissioner

00:01:23.730 --> 00:01:28.000
Karen Douglas. You'll hear from Commissioner Douglas

00:01:28.010 --> 00:01:32.558
later in this public participation hearing, we are

00:01:32.569 --> 00:01:36.040
holding this hearing online and by phone because the

00:01:36.049 --> 00:01:40.260
commission has found that remote sharing provide a

00:01:40.269 --> 00:01:45.159
convenient way for many people to participate but also

00:01:46.159 --> 00:01:48.939
promoting greater understanding of the impact of rate

00:01:48.948 --> 00:01:52.588
changes, public engagement remains critical to the

00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:55.769
commission. I and all the commissioners will be paying

00:01:55.778 --> 00:01:59.239
careful attention to the comments provided today and

00:01:59.250 --> 00:02:03.290
we all have the ability to review the written transcripts

00:02:03.299 --> 00:02:08.278
of this public hearing being created by the court reporters

00:02:08.288 --> 00:02:12.588
who will be working behind the scenes throughout today's

00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:16.460
hearing. A court reporter will be t transcribing everything

00:02:16.469 --> 00:02:21.419
that is said today into a written document.

00:02:21.419 --> 00:02:25.219
As you can see, I am joined today by several panelists

00:02:25.229 --> 00:02:29.899
important to this proceeding. Each of them will have

00:02:29.909 --> 00:02:32.520
the opportunity to speak to you today. But for now

00:02:32.528 --> 00:02:37.808
I'd like each of them to simply wave uh Ker Karen Douglas

00:02:39.349 --> 00:02:42.330
um

00:02:42.330 --> 00:02:47.349
crane uh mantle bomb advisor to the

00:02:47.349 --> 00:02:49.729
commissioner.

00:02:49.729 --> 00:02:52.629
Uh Jason

00:02:52.629 --> 00:02:57.520
Simon also advised her to Chris Douglas

00:02:57.520 --> 00:03:02.099
and Gal Ginger Singh uh from the Communications division

00:03:02.110 --> 00:03:06.729
at the Commission

00:03:06.729 --> 00:03:11.278
Sarah Yocom, from the California from, from the Caligari

00:03:11.429 --> 00:03:14.528
telephone company

00:03:14.528 --> 00:03:19.508
um and uh Brett Palmer and Bchar Ye for the California

00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:24.069
Public Advocate's Office. Thank you.

00:03:24.069 --> 00:03:28.500
As I mentioned previously, a court reporter will be

00:03:28.508 --> 00:03:32.618
transcribing everything that is said today. Therefore

00:03:32.629 --> 00:03:36.830
as we all speak, we will need to speak

00:03:36.830 --> 00:03:40.270
slowly and clearly so that the reporter can capture

00:03:40.278 --> 00:03:43.028
everything that is said.

00:03:43.028 --> 00:03:46.808
When comments begin, I will ask you to

00:03:46.808 --> 00:03:49.629
remember to spell your first and last name and provide

00:03:49.639 --> 00:03:53.860
your location. The written transcript for today's hearing

00:03:53.868 --> 00:03:56.929
will be posted publicly on the docket card for this

00:03:57.159 --> 00:04:00.929
proceeding. Which is found on the commission's website

00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:05.250
In due course, the audio and visual feed of this public

00:04:05.258 --> 00:04:08.729
hearing is being recorded and is also accessible on

00:04:08.740 --> 00:04:13.270
the CPUC website. If you

00:04:13.270 --> 00:04:18.728
do not wish to be recorded, please do not provide a

00:04:18.738 --> 00:04:21.178
public comment.

00:04:21.178 --> 00:04:29.108
Ok. Now it is my pleasure to introduce individuals

00:04:29.119 --> 00:04:32.850
from the commission who are with us today. First is

00:04:33.778 --> 00:04:38.619
Kushner Karen Douglas, uh Kushner Douglas, would you

00:04:38.629 --> 00:04:44.959
like to make any opening remarks? Um Yes, thank you

00:04:44.970 --> 00:04:49.738
Judge Van Dyken. I'd like to start by briefly thanking

00:04:49.750 --> 00:04:52.838
all of the members of the public who are participating

00:04:52.850 --> 00:04:57.899
today for joining us and dedicating your time to being

00:04:57.910 --> 00:05:02.778
part of the proceeding this evening. Um I look forward

00:05:02.790 --> 00:05:05.639
to hearing your comments. This is a public participation

00:05:05.649 --> 00:05:09.480
hearing and really fundamentally we're here to hear

00:05:09.488 --> 00:05:12.678
public comment and very much appreciate the members

00:05:12.689 --> 00:05:17.480
of the public who are um joining us. And um secondly

00:05:17.678 --> 00:05:21.069
I'd also like to thank Judge Van Dyken and his team

00:05:21.329 --> 00:05:25.309
for their work on managing this proceeding and I will

00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:27.600
at this point, turn this back to you, Judgment Dyken

00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:30.759
Thank you.

00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:35.750
All right. Thank you very much Kushner Douglas. Um

00:05:36.189 --> 00:05:41.290
Next, um if we could hear from uh

00:05:41.290 --> 00:05:44.509
Gal Ginger Sing of the Communications Division, uh

00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:48.160
would you please um introduce yourself and explain

00:05:48.170 --> 00:05:52.178
a bit uh about the communications divisions role in

00:05:52.189 --> 00:05:57.509
this uh proceeding places? Hello, my name is Baljinder

00:05:57.579 --> 00:06:04.088
Singh. It's spelled Daljind. Er Last name is Singh

00:06:04.100 --> 00:06:09.639
Si Ngh and uh um from communication division point

00:06:09.649 --> 00:06:14.019
of view, we support uh uh A LD division doing the analytical

00:06:14.028 --> 00:06:19.928
work uh in this GRC proceedings. Thank you.

00:06:19.928 --> 00:06:23.639
All right. Thank you uh much, Mr Singh. All right.

00:06:23.649 --> 00:06:26.588
Um Now I will go ahead and provide a brief background

00:06:26.600 --> 00:06:32.220
about this proceeding. Um So

00:06:32.220 --> 00:06:35.920
the California Public Utilities Commission is the state

00:06:35.928 --> 00:06:41.048
agency that decides how much money,

00:06:41.048 --> 00:06:46.829
telephone corporations such as Calvert Telecom may

00:06:46.838 --> 00:06:49.889
earn and the rates that will be included in customer

00:06:49.899 --> 00:06:53.189
bills for telephone service. The commission is headed

00:06:53.199 --> 00:06:58.488
by five commissioners. They are appointed by the governor

00:06:58.500 --> 00:07:02.619
and confirmed by the California State Senate. The purpose

00:07:02.629 --> 00:07:05.420
of today's hearing is for the commission to receive

00:07:05.428 --> 00:07:10.449
comments from customers of Kari's telephone and from

00:07:10.459 --> 00:07:13.278
members of the public about the application that the

00:07:13.290 --> 00:07:20.379
company filed on November 20 23 to request review of

00:07:20.389 --> 00:07:22.439
its

00:07:22.439 --> 00:07:27.689
interest rates and charges to take effect in 20 25

00:07:27.699 --> 00:07:30.449
for

00:07:30.449 --> 00:07:33.230
regulated interstate telecommunications and services

00:07:35.449 --> 00:07:38.678
Kadis telephone company owns and operates a telephone

00:07:38.689 --> 00:07:42.369
system over which it provides local exchange telephone

00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:46.689
service in western Calas County based on data from

00:07:46.699 --> 00:07:52.858
September 2023. Kad telephone serves approximately

00:07:53.209 --> 00:08:03.189
3399 access lines in two telephone exchanges.

00:08:03.189 --> 00:08:09.000
Coop and Jenny Wen. Its system consists mainly of a

00:08:09.009 --> 00:08:13.259
network of cables and wires, facilitating connections

00:08:13.269 --> 00:08:18.189
to customer locations and interconnection to the public

00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:23.329
switched telephone network.

00:08:23.329 --> 00:08:28.139
Calaveras infrastructure includes underground and aerial

00:08:28.149 --> 00:08:32.340
cable and lines, radio equipment, central office equipment

00:08:32.349 --> 00:08:37.879
land buildings powered generators, backup batteries

00:08:38.058 --> 00:08:41.960
and other assorted equipment. Calaveras does not provide

00:08:41.969 --> 00:08:45.359
internet access service itself but provides retail

00:08:45.369 --> 00:08:50.080
broadband service through CAL tel internet and affiliate

00:08:50.719 --> 00:08:57.450
company which operates as an internet service provider

00:08:57.840 --> 00:09:02.320
in Cala service territory and other areas of California

00:09:04.269 --> 00:09:07.859
to provide its customers with access to an increased

00:09:07.869 --> 00:09:11.849
level of broadband speed and bandwidth. Consistent

00:09:11.859 --> 00:09:15.580
with the growing customer demand for advanced services

00:09:15.859 --> 00:09:21.190
The company is prepared to make more than $11 million

00:09:21.200 --> 00:09:24.288
in additional investment and network upgrades during

00:09:24.298 --> 00:09:30.820
2024 and 20 25 and expects to invest at a similar level

00:09:30.830 --> 00:09:35.250
going forward with the goal of extending fiber facilities

00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:38.129
to all reasonable locations within the service territory

00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:43.719
By the end of 2029 the annual threats of wildfires

00:09:44.239 --> 00:09:50.849
provide a continued reminder of this actual role that

00:09:50.859 --> 00:09:56.538
access to reliable voice and broadband service plays

00:09:56.548 --> 00:10:02.759
in public safety. The COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted

00:10:02.769 --> 00:10:05.139
the importance of enhancing broadband deployment in

00:10:05.149 --> 00:10:11.210
rural areas as many essential services, social necessities

00:10:11.219 --> 00:10:15.840
and economic opportunities were not, were not available

00:10:15.849 --> 00:10:18.609
in person during the

00:10:18.609 --> 00:10:22.210
pandemic.

00:10:22.210 --> 00:10:25.509
As I mentioned, I am the administrative law judge with

00:10:26.408 --> 00:10:29.428
the California Public Utilities Commission assigned

00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:31.320
to this

00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:36.700
proceeding as the, as the assigned judge, I will manage

00:10:37.109 --> 00:10:40.830
the day to day activities of the case. My role is to

00:10:41.038 --> 00:10:44.389
evaluate the evidence in the proceeding and to write

00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:48.279
a proposed decision based on that evidence, the five

00:10:49.908 --> 00:10:54.788
commissioners including assigned

00:10:54.788 --> 00:10:59.519
commissioner Karen Douglas, who we heard from previously

00:10:59.619 --> 00:11:02.619
are the ones who will ultimately decide what they vote

00:11:02.729 --> 00:11:06.308
on whether to approve the telephone company's application

00:11:06.788 --> 00:11:10.210
They will evaluate my proposed decision and decide

00:11:10.219 --> 00:11:15.950
whether to, to adopt it or to adopt their own alternate

00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:20.538
decision based on the evidence in the proceeding. The

00:11:20.548 --> 00:11:24.580
current schedule for this preceding A T case that the

00:11:24.590 --> 00:11:27.609
commission will vote on the decision in the fourth

00:11:27.619 --> 00:11:32.428
quarter of 20 24.

00:11:32.428 --> 00:11:34.308
The purpose of today's hearing is to hear directly

00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:40.239
from Cal from, to hear directly from Klaas telephone

00:11:40.259 --> 00:11:43.440
customers and members of the public about this particular

00:11:43.719 --> 00:11:46.200
application.

00:11:46.200 --> 00:11:52.019
All right. Um Next up, um we will now hear um from

00:11:52.029 --> 00:11:53.969
the

00:11:53.969 --> 00:12:00.849
participants of the proceeding beginning with the

00:12:00.849 --> 00:12:06.788
representatives from Cal's telephone as

00:12:06.788 --> 00:12:11.879
be Yam. Um It, if you could please put up uh this

00:12:11.940 --> 00:12:23.570
JO slides.

00:12:23.570 --> 00:12:28.229
You welcome.

00:12:28.229 --> 00:12:30.239
No.

00:12:30.239 --> 00:12:34.479
Uh Let's go off the record, please until the uh ps

00:12:34.599 --> 00:12:45.808
come up.

00:12:45.808 --> 00:12:54.408
Bye. Um I do we have access to Miss Jo sites.

00:12:54.408 --> 00:13:00.210
Oh, there we go. All right. Uh M jo, are you ready

00:13:00.710 --> 00:13:06.529
Yes, I am. Ok. Um Let's go back on

00:13:06.529 --> 00:13:10.279
the record, please. All right, perfect. Should I spell

00:13:10.288 --> 00:13:16.048
my name? I, yes, please. All right, good evening. I'm

00:13:16.058 --> 00:13:25.469
Sarah Yocom. That's Sar A last name Yocom Yocum. I'm

00:13:25.479 --> 00:13:29.989
the CFO for Calver Telephone Company. Um Here with

00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:36.099
me in the office tonight is Jim Towers, the President

00:13:36.109 --> 00:13:41.570
CEO and then sue Myers is our customer service manager

00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:44.250
and she's available to field calls during this and

00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:48.009
in the office. Um I know we also have a couple other

00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:51.769
employees calling in and listening as well. Brock Erman

00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:57.788
and Chris Basal. Um Thank you for giving me the opportunity

00:13:57.798 --> 00:14:01.389
to present tonight. Uh We'll start Calaveras is a small

00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:04.759
family owned and operated telephone company. As the

00:14:04.769 --> 00:14:07.580
judge mentioned, we provide local exchange telephone

00:14:07.590 --> 00:14:12.369
service in Calaveras County uh to approximately 3400

00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:17.928
access line. We're heavily focused on the community

00:14:18.629 --> 00:14:23.359
and providing subscribers in our rural areas with strong

00:14:23.369 --> 00:14:26.599
telecommunication services that are comparable to those

00:14:26.609 --> 00:14:32.298
of urban areas. Um Just to further dive into the purpose

00:14:32.308 --> 00:14:36.019
of the rate case, we're required by the California

00:14:36.029 --> 00:14:39.090
Public Utilities Commission to go through a rate case

00:14:39.099 --> 00:14:43.779
once every five years and through that process, we

00:14:43.788 --> 00:14:49.019
file um for what we'd like our, our local service rate

00:14:49.029 --> 00:14:52.259
to be for both residential and business customers.

00:14:52.269 --> 00:14:57.119
Um And then what support we need from the state through

00:14:57.129 --> 00:15:01.210
the California high cost fund. A the California high

00:15:01.219 --> 00:15:05.080
cost fund provides critical support to ensure that

00:15:05.269 --> 00:15:08.759
Calaveras can maintain its network and keep making

00:15:08.769 --> 00:15:13.500
investments to upgrade the network. Um And it's broadband

00:15:13.509 --> 00:15:17.330
capable network uh to provide better services to our

00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:20.710
customers and allow our basic residential telephone

00:15:20.719 --> 00:15:25.899
rates to remain affordable. The CHC FA is funded by

00:15:25.908 --> 00:15:29.729
surcharges applied to customers bills statewide and

00:15:29.739 --> 00:15:33.859
is currently approximately eight cents per month. Um

00:15:34.989 --> 00:15:41.190
uh As part of the bill. Uh In addition to asking for

00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:46.200
CHC fa funds, Calaveras telephone company is proposing

00:15:46.210 --> 00:15:52.609
an increase to our residential rates from $25 to $26

00:15:53.428 --> 00:15:56.889
Um However, that rate increase will include custom

00:15:56.899 --> 00:16:00.500
calling features and voice mail service features uh

00:16:00.509 --> 00:16:03.500
that it didn't include prior and then additionally

00:16:03.509 --> 00:16:06.538
on the business side, we're also requesting a $1 increase

00:16:06.548 --> 00:16:17.619
from $27.33 to $28.33. Um We are not wanting a, the

00:16:17.629 --> 00:16:20.940
increase proposed by the Public Advocate's Office,

00:16:21.710 --> 00:16:26.788
um which we are informed they're proposing a $4.27

00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:32.190
increase or it's approximately 17% of uh an increase

00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:36.269
to our basic residential rates today. Um The Public

00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:44.969
Advocate's Office did not provide the um basic business

00:16:44.979 --> 00:16:49.918
rate. I'm hoping they will provide during their presentation

00:16:49.928 --> 00:16:54.599
today. What that business rate will be so that uh any

00:16:54.609 --> 00:16:57.038
business customers that we hope to have on the line

00:16:57.048 --> 00:16:59.808
can respond with their thoughts and comments as to

00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:05.077
the proposed rates.

00:17:05.077 --> 00:17:09.378
See, um I do just want to make a few comments that

00:17:09.388 --> 00:17:12.577
relate to the Cal Advocate slides provided in advance

00:17:13.028 --> 00:17:18.868
Um There are um we're responsible for maintaining and

00:17:18.878 --> 00:17:22.337
upgrading our physical network which provides customers

00:17:22.347 --> 00:17:26.009
with access to telephone service and access to broadband

00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:32.939
service. However, Calver telephone company is not a

00:17:32.949 --> 00:17:36.568
retail broadband service provider. We sell internet

00:17:36.578 --> 00:17:40.559
through our ISP affiliate known as Cal Tel Internet

00:17:41.049 --> 00:17:45.900
Um and that's how our customers get retail broadband

00:17:45.910 --> 00:17:49.170
services. Uh The rate case we're going through is to

00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:54.559
govern our local basic residential and business phone

00:17:54.568 --> 00:17:59.078
rates and is not applicable to our CTEL internet rates

00:18:00.969 --> 00:18:04.180
both Calaveras and Cal Hill internet, believe broadband

00:18:04.189 --> 00:18:07.539
and for affordability is important uh for its real

00:18:07.549 --> 00:18:12.259
customers. Unfortunately, we are not a large conglomerate

00:18:12.269 --> 00:18:16.019
We don't have thousands and thousands and thousands

00:18:16.029 --> 00:18:21.709
of customers um where we get economies of scale like

00:18:21.719 --> 00:18:27.348
those like Comcast do in more urban areas. Um We have

00:18:27.358 --> 00:18:32.180
advocated for the last several years uh to the commission

00:18:32.189 --> 00:18:36.930
to for a solution to a for broadband affordability

00:18:36.939 --> 00:18:42.098
through CPU CS Lifeline proceedings. We have asked

00:18:42.108 --> 00:18:45.209
and hope that the commission would expand lifeline

00:18:45.219 --> 00:18:49.299
to support broadband services. Um This source of lifeline

00:18:49.309 --> 00:18:52.949
funding would help us ensure the affordability of broadband

00:18:52.959 --> 00:18:57.920
services to our customers. Cal um Another thing that'll

00:18:57.930 --> 00:19:04.588
come up in the pelvic kit slides is that we have few

00:19:04.598 --> 00:19:08.848
customers with broadband speeds, uh services of 100

00:19:08.858 --> 00:19:13.430
megabits per second, download or higher. And I just

00:19:13.439 --> 00:19:16.430
this is untrue. We have many, many customers. They

00:19:16.439 --> 00:19:20.769
make up approximately 30% of our total customers on

00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:24.549
broadband speed services of greater than 100 megabits

00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:28.348
per second or 100 megabits per second. Um And that

00:19:28.358 --> 00:19:31.469
number seems to be growing each year as we are able

00:19:31.479 --> 00:19:34.789
to provide fiber to mo to more and more locations.

00:19:37.890 --> 00:19:41.578
Um just to kind of conclude or wrap up my portion of

00:19:41.588 --> 00:19:45.239
the presentation. Um Really, we're hopeful the rate

00:19:45.250 --> 00:19:48.930
case is about ensuring Calveras has access to critical

00:19:48.939 --> 00:19:54.118
support for its facilities uh to enable us to provide

00:19:54.130 --> 00:19:58.209
a reliable and safe telecommunication service and access

00:19:58.219 --> 00:20:01.578
to advanced services in remote and rural service areas

00:20:01.650 --> 00:20:05.618
uh in Copper, Opolis and Gland um while keeping our

00:20:05.630 --> 00:20:09.439
voice rates affordable. Thank you to anybody on the

00:20:09.449 --> 00:20:12.348
line for attending the PPH and we look forward to hearing

00:20:12.358 --> 00:20:15.920
your feedback.

00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:19.348
Ok. Thank you very much, Miss Joam.

00:20:19.348 --> 00:20:23.568
All right. Um Next, um, I'd like to hear from uh, the

00:20:23.578 --> 00:20:29.568
Public Advocate's Office. Um I believe we have uh be

00:20:29.750 --> 00:20:34.750
ye here to um, speak up for, for

00:20:34.750 --> 00:20:37.848
the Public Advocate's Office. Um And I would appreciate

00:20:37.858 --> 00:20:42.049
if you could first explain the role of the public of

00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:47.660
the Public Advocates um office. Um It can we get um

00:20:47.989 --> 00:20:52.789
uh, the, the public's advocate slides that please?

00:20:57.439 --> 00:21:01.979
Yeah. Thank you. Your honor. And my, my first to line

00:21:01.989 --> 00:21:06.390
have the introduction of our role, our c advocation

00:21:06.459 --> 00:21:10.699
role. Ok. Uh Let's, let's just hold up until we get

00:21:10.709 --> 00:21:14.160
the hide that, please. Uh Let's go off the record,

00:21:14.170 --> 00:21:16.680
please

00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:21.799
until we can get the site.

00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:24.979
All right. Thank you very much. Um I'll go back on

00:21:24.989 --> 00:21:30.719
the record, please continue this year.

00:21:30.719 --> 00:21:33.519
Thank you. Your honor.

00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:37.469
Good evening, everyone. My name is B Xia. Ye, an analyst

00:21:37.479 --> 00:21:41.239
from the Public Advocate Office at the Commission also

00:21:41.390 --> 00:21:47.410
known as Cal Advocate. Next like

00:21:47.410 --> 00:21:51.400
Cal Advocate is an independent customer advocate group

00:21:51.410 --> 00:21:56.150
within the commission. We advocate on behalf of California

00:21:56.160 --> 00:22:01.130
retailers statewide. Our statutory mission is to obtain

00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:05.199
the lowest possible rate for serving consistent with

00:22:05.209 --> 00:22:09.630
safe and reliable service levels. And California's

00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:14.000
environmental goals, we participate in this general

00:22:14.009 --> 00:22:18.598
case to represent the best interest of customers and

00:22:18.608 --> 00:22:23.809
achieve access to affordable, safe and reliable communications

00:22:23.818 --> 00:22:28.750
service. Next line please,

00:22:28.750 --> 00:22:32.709
the commission provides subsidy to calves through the

00:22:32.719 --> 00:22:36.650
California High Court Fund, a program or a fund program

00:22:37.348 --> 00:22:42.160
The A five subsidy is paid for by all repairers statewide

00:22:42.170 --> 00:22:45.739
through their telephone bill. So the commission must

00:22:45.750 --> 00:22:50.459
ensure that a five subsidies are not excessive. This

00:22:50.469 --> 00:22:56.000
table shows a lot in 2024. This year. Calaveras is

00:22:56.009 --> 00:23:01.019
expected to receive about 3 million in 50 which is

00:23:01.029 --> 00:23:07.799
over 51% of its total revenue. Tele vas have a total

00:23:07.809 --> 00:23:15.500
of 3497 customers. This translates to an estimate of

00:23:15.509 --> 00:23:27.309
$848.50 per customer. MS Light. Please

00:23:27.309 --> 00:23:31.848
to receive the infant safety. Calavius is required

00:23:31.858 --> 00:23:36.309
to submit a general case application. The commission

00:23:36.318 --> 00:23:40.689
will review the company's service quality, the reasonableness

00:23:40.699 --> 00:23:45.529
of company's expense and affordability of the communication

00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:51.318
service. Next likely

00:23:51.318 --> 00:23:56.699
one focus of our review is the service quality of Cala's

00:23:56.709 --> 00:24:01.559
broadband and telephone service. We review customer

00:24:01.568 --> 00:24:05.828
complain company's restoration of servings after an

00:24:05.838 --> 00:24:10.769
outage and its response to a customer's request. Most

00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:13.680
likely,

00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:17.910
we also ensure companies expense including the network

00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:21.519
investment in broadband and telephone service must

00:24:21.529 --> 00:24:25.578
be just and reasonable and beneficial to customers

00:24:26.328 --> 00:24:30.318
May I fly please?

00:24:30.318 --> 00:24:35.000
We, we assess the affordability of Cala Vela's telephone

00:24:35.009 --> 00:24:40.229
service. We are still in discovery process. This table

00:24:40.239 --> 00:24:44.229
shows the preliminary residential rate that is subject

00:24:44.239 --> 00:24:49.568
to change. Tele Vas currently charge $25 per month

00:24:49.739 --> 00:24:54.660
which is determined in its last January case in 2018

00:24:55.420 --> 00:25:01.059
If adjust for inflation from 2018 to 2025 this rate

00:25:01.068 --> 00:25:06.890
will become $31.08. Since the rate must be comparable

00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:11.209
to urban rate. The wage average rate paid by urban

00:25:11.219 --> 00:25:17.449
customer is $31.74. We average the straight amount

00:25:17.858 --> 00:25:22.910
above the straight amount and a tender rate of $29.27

00:25:24.239 --> 00:25:27.650
adding the mandatory government surcharge and fee.

00:25:28.229 --> 00:25:35.140
The total monthly charge is $39.73 which is within

00:25:35.150 --> 00:25:41.618
the range of later, none between $30.40 dollar established

00:25:41.630 --> 00:25:46.400
by the commission. And this rate is significantly lower

00:25:46.410 --> 00:25:50.420
than the broadband price that calves charge its customers

00:25:51.219 --> 00:25:55.900
next line please.

00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:59.759
We also access the affordability of broadband service

00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:04.299
Just last week. The national standard for the minimum

00:26:04.309 --> 00:26:09.088
broadband speed was raised to 100 megabit per second

00:26:09.098 --> 00:26:14.209
download and 20 megabit per second upload. So 25 3

00:26:14.219 --> 00:26:18.469
megabit per second is no longer considered a high speed

00:26:18.479 --> 00:26:23.660
broadband service. This table shows the calves broadband

00:26:23.670 --> 00:26:29.029
price and currently it is calves seller broadband price

00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:33.890
but not a commission. Since the tele require company

00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:38.009
require customer to purchase a phone service in order

00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:41.309
to have broadband serving. The current phone rate is

00:26:41.318 --> 00:26:46.170
included in this table. Also please note that the price

00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:50.430
in this table do not include applicable tax fees and

00:26:50.439 --> 00:26:54.449
surcharges. So the price the customer pay would be

00:26:54.459 --> 00:27:00.400
higher than shown here. If you subscribe to 25 3 megabit

00:27:00.410 --> 00:27:06.328
per second broadband service. The total price is $102.90

00:27:07.449 --> 00:27:11.640
for low-income customer. After applying the state and

00:27:11.650 --> 00:27:15.469
federal life life discount, the total price is still

00:27:15.479 --> 00:27:20.469
high at $74.65.

00:27:20.469 --> 00:27:24.328
If you subscribe to 100 megabit per second broadband

00:27:24.338 --> 00:27:30.890
servings, the total price is $112.90. And for low-income

00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:37.818
customers, the price is high at $84.55

00:27:37.818 --> 00:27:43.029
but still a high b high broadband price, only a few

00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:47.348
customers are subscribing to Tele Vela's high-speed

00:27:47.358 --> 00:27:52.239
broadband service. And Calaveras does not offer a low-income

00:27:52.250 --> 00:27:55.529
broadband plan even though it is receiving the A five

00:27:55.680 --> 00:28:01.059
subs from repairers statewide. In comparison, some

00:28:01.068 --> 00:28:04.239
companies are offering the low-income broadband plan

00:28:04.449 --> 00:28:09.400
For example, Comcast offer a plan called internet essential

00:28:09.489 --> 00:28:13.209
which is charge only $10 per month for broadband speed

00:28:13.219 --> 00:28:18.459
up to 50 megabit per 2nd and $30 per month for broadband

00:28:18.469 --> 00:28:24.289
speed of 120 megabits per second. The state and federal

00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:27.979
government have declared broadband as an essential

00:28:27.989 --> 00:28:31.890
service that everyone should have access to. So the

00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:36.098
broadband price must be affordable. May fly, please

00:28:39.150 --> 00:28:42.410
We want to hear from you regarding your experience

00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:48.229
with Cali with Calera service. Your comments help build

00:28:48.239 --> 00:28:53.259
our understanding, analysis and recommendations. Here

00:28:53.269 --> 00:28:56.559
is my contact information. If you have any questions

00:28:56.568 --> 00:29:01.049
after today, your presence here is greatly appreciated

00:29:01.108 --> 00:29:04.559
and we look forward to listening to your comments and

00:29:04.568 --> 00:29:09.068
concerns. Thank you.

00:29:09.068 --> 00:29:16.189
Ok, thank you very much, Miss Y All right. Um Now on

00:29:16.199 --> 00:29:21.858
to the customers of Calderas as a reminder if you are

00:29:22.828 --> 00:29:26.150
participating today and would like to provide public

00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:35.130
comments. You may do so by calling 1 808 571917 and

00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:45.630
entering passcode 603278 £8 then you must press star

00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:49.930
one on your phone. This will alert the operator who

00:29:49.939 --> 00:29:56.578
will begin to find up the public speakers. Please

00:29:56.578 --> 00:30:01.358
provide your name. If you are a public official, please

00:30:01.368 --> 00:30:04.608
notify the operator of your title and position. In

00:30:04.618 --> 00:30:09.578
addition to your name, please refer to the slide that

00:30:09.588 --> 00:30:13.989
just came up on the screen. It is important to mention

00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:17.479
that this is not the time and place to ask personal

00:30:17.489 --> 00:30:21.680
questions such as a question about your bills or service

00:30:22.289 --> 00:30:28.420
You do not want to disclose your individual phone number

00:30:28.430 --> 00:30:32.029
or resident address since this is a proceeding that's

00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:35.578
open to the public and it's also being recorded for

00:30:35.588 --> 00:30:41.108
personal questions. We have a representative from Calaveras

00:30:42.739 --> 00:30:47.640
telephone company are present. If you do have a question

00:30:47.650 --> 00:30:52.750
about your personal account or service with tele telephone

00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:58.088
company, please contact Sue Myers customer service

00:31:00.170 --> 00:31:04.059
customer service manager. Uh Sue Myers is standing

00:31:04.068 --> 00:31:13.430
by and can be reached at 2097852215. Extension 213

00:31:14.709 --> 00:31:21.078
Again, um If you have a personal question um specific

00:31:21.088 --> 00:31:29.140
to you, um you can contact Sue Myers at 2097852215

00:31:29.199 --> 00:31:32.809
Extension 213.

00:31:32.809 --> 00:31:36.009
We will also not be answering questions about the application

00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:39.029
at today's hearing. We are here to listen to your comments

00:31:40.029 --> 00:31:44.449
as he reminder. Again, please press start one on your

00:31:44.459 --> 00:31:47.838
phone now so that the operator can begin to form the

00:31:47.848 --> 00:31:52.598
speaking queue. Please speak slowly and clearly so

00:31:52.608 --> 00:31:57.078
that our court reporters may accurately test drive

00:31:57.088 --> 00:32:01.390
your comments when the operator lets you know it is

00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:05.630
your turn to speak. Please start your comments by

00:32:05.630 --> 00:32:10.989
providing your full name, spelling your last name and

00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:14.680
your location.

00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:18.890
We will be able to hear you best. If you speak directly

00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:23.410
into your phone or headset, please avoid having your

00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:27.430
phone on speaker. When you are providing comments,

00:32:27.989 --> 00:32:30.809
please keep your

00:32:30.809 --> 00:32:33.989
comes as brief and concise to ensure that we can hear

00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:36.059
everyone.

00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:41.578
Your comments will be recorded and a reporter is making

00:32:41.588 --> 00:32:44.949
a written transcript of

00:32:44.949 --> 00:32:49.828
hearing these will be posted publicly on the docket

00:32:49.838 --> 00:32:54.029
card for this preceding in due course. In addition

00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:58.640
to submitting oral comments today, written comments

00:32:59.049 --> 00:33:04.420
on Calis telephone application may be submitted on

00:33:04.430 --> 00:33:09.420
the docket card for this proceeding by going to um

00:33:09.809 --> 00:33:18.959
the following web page A PPS dot CPUC dot C A dot

00:33:18.969 --> 00:33:30.949
gov backslash c backslash A 2311011

00:33:30.949 --> 00:33:35.229
to ensure that everyone has the chance to provide comment

00:33:35.239 --> 00:33:39.689
Each speaker will have, will have a time limit of three

00:33:39.828 --> 00:33:45.180
a three minutes. A chime will be sounded when time

00:33:45.509 --> 00:33:48.920
time is up.

00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:55.289
Ok. Um, um, let's go to the first person in the queue

00:33:55.299 --> 00:34:01.630
Um, the operator judgment I, in this is the, um, before

00:34:01.640 --> 00:34:06.660
we go to the first person, is it, um, it's my understanding

00:34:06.670 --> 00:34:11.628
that Cal advocates should have disclosed both the residential

00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:15.019
and business rates during their presentation. I may

00:34:15.030 --> 00:34:18.429
have missed it, but I did not see the business rate

00:34:18.438 --> 00:34:22.739
Is it possible for them to state their proposed business

00:34:22.750 --> 00:34:25.909
rate in case we have business customers online so we

00:34:25.918 --> 00:34:31.148
can get their feedback? Sure.

00:34:31.148 --> 00:34:33.469
Do you have that

00:34:33.469 --> 00:34:36.760
information with you?

00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:40.199
Um Yeah, I don't have a lot of information on hand

00:34:40.208 --> 00:34:44.559
but for the business rate, we would, uh have the same

00:34:44.570 --> 00:34:50.059
percentage increase as the residential rate, but just

00:34:50.070 --> 00:34:54.458
to uh emphasize that the residential rate that we just

00:34:54.469 --> 00:34:58.360
present in the slide is a preliminary rate that is

00:34:58.369 --> 00:35:02.559
subject to change.

00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:07.550
Ok. Thank you. Ok.

00:35:07.550 --> 00:35:11.869
All right. Um With that, um, let's go to the first

00:35:11.878 --> 00:35:16.438
caller place. Thank you. Our first public comment comes

00:35:16.449 --> 00:35:24.309
from Reverend Thompson. Your line is open.

00:35:24.309 --> 00:35:28.849
Reverend Thompson, your line is open.

00:35:28.849 --> 00:35:32.559
This is Vern Thompson. Are you a

00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:37.909
calling for me? Yeah, your line is open. Ok. Yeah,

00:35:37.918 --> 00:35:41.938
I've uh been in telecommunication over 40 years, uh

00:35:41.949 --> 00:35:45.539
20 in the Air Force 20 with Sprint and MC I been

00:35:45.550 --> 00:35:49.478
a cow tel customer. I'm a residential customer for

00:35:49.489 --> 00:35:53.929
over 25 years. Their customer service and technical

00:35:53.938 --> 00:35:57.320
support has always been outstanding. No one likes to

00:35:57.329 --> 00:36:00.668
pay more each month. I'll tell you that. But I believe

00:36:00.679 --> 00:36:05.389
you get what you pay for. And prior to retirement,

00:36:05.398 --> 00:36:08.239
I worked, install maintenance and management areas

00:36:08.250 --> 00:36:12.869
of telecommunications. So I have to say you get what

00:36:12.878 --> 00:36:16.840
you pay for and I say yes to the dollar increase per

00:36:16.849 --> 00:36:23.389
month. So, good luck folks. Bye bye.

00:36:23.389 --> 00:36:28.938
Ok. Thank you very much. Uh, Reverend Thompson, um

00:36:29.329 --> 00:36:32.668
uh, next caller, please.

00:36:32.668 --> 00:36:35.369
Our next caller. If you are in the line for the public

00:36:35.378 --> 00:36:37.860
comment queue and your telephone number ends at an

00:36:37.869 --> 00:36:46.539
8000, your line is open.

00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:49.449
Hi. If you're waiting for the public comment queue

00:36:49.628 --> 00:36:53.019
and your telephone number ends in 8000, your telephone

00:36:53.030 --> 00:37:00.918
line is open

00:37:00.918 --> 00:37:03.389
your honor. I was having a hard time getting our next

00:37:03.398 --> 00:37:06.228
um, public comment and I'm hoping they'll answer the

00:37:06.239 --> 00:37:08.219
line is open and we're just waiting for a comment.

00:37:10.688 --> 00:37:13.478
Ok, thank you.

00:37:13.478 --> 00:37:18.050
Um Are there any other, uh, figure after this person

00:37:18.719 --> 00:37:21.929
I currently have no other public comments. If you'd

00:37:21.938 --> 00:37:24.619
like to make a public comment, please press star one

00:37:24.628 --> 00:37:27.438
unmute your phone and clearly state your name for public

00:37:27.449 --> 00:37:59.139
comment. Introduction one moment

00:37:59.139 --> 00:38:02.039
and currently have no additional public comments at

00:38:02.050 --> 00:38:09.320
this time. Ok. Um So let's go ahead and take, um let's

00:38:09.329 --> 00:38:14.500
go ahead and take a break. Um to um our time on

00:38:14.510 --> 00:38:20.989
the case, there are any additional callers. Uh The

00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:25.139
time that I have right now is 6:38 p.m. Let's reconvene

00:38:25.148 --> 00:38:27.668
at six

00:38:27.668 --> 00:38:32.378
45 PM, please. Um Thank you. And we are currently um

00:38:32.389 --> 00:38:45.769
off the record.

00:38:45.769 --> 00:38:48.628
Ok. Hello, that's ok. We appear to have everyone back

00:38:49.389 --> 00:38:53.329
Um

00:38:53.329 --> 00:38:56.340
I want to confirm with the, oh, I'm sorry, let's go

00:38:56.349 --> 00:38:58.840
back on

00:38:58.840 --> 00:39:03.099
the record, please. I'd like to confirm with the operator

00:39:03.110 --> 00:39:06.668
if there are any other speakers in the queue, your

00:39:06.679 --> 00:39:08.929
honor, I have no additional public comments at this

00:39:08.938 --> 00:39:14.599
time. Ok. Well, then with that. Um Well, I'll go ahead

00:39:14.610 --> 00:39:18.000
and close the public comment uh time. Um I would like

00:39:18.010 --> 00:39:22.829
to thank um the person who

00:39:22.829 --> 00:39:28.708
participated here today. And again, if anybody who

00:39:28.719 --> 00:39:33.668
is online would like to provide any additional comments

00:39:33.679 --> 00:39:36.780
You may submit written comments on the docket card

00:39:36.789 --> 00:39:41.809
for this proceeding, which, which again can be found

00:39:41.820 --> 00:39:51.679
at the Christians website at A PPS dot CPUC dot C a.gov

00:39:52.389 --> 00:40:01.699
slash C slash A Q 311011

00:40:01.699 --> 00:40:06.668
for assistance with providing additional comments.

00:40:06.679 --> 00:40:10.789
Please contact the Commission's Public Advisor's office

00:40:11.110 --> 00:40:18.628
at Public dot Advisor at CPUC dot C a.gov,

00:40:18.628 --> 00:40:22.958
a

00:40:22.958 --> 00:40:25.239
Commissioner Douglas, would you like to make a any

00:40:25.280 --> 00:40:31.349
in any uh, additional comments?

00:40:31.349 --> 00:40:34.699
Not at this time? Except that I definitely wanted to

00:40:34.708 --> 00:40:38.688
express appreciation to the commenter who spoke and

00:40:38.699 --> 00:40:42.648
and, um, I'm glad you kept this open just a little

00:40:42.659 --> 00:40:46.889
bit longer to um, provide any additional chance for

00:40:46.898 --> 00:40:50.539
more speakers to come forward. All right. Thank you

00:40:50.550 --> 00:40:55.030
very much. Well, with that, uh that concludes uh this

00:40:55.039 --> 00:40:59.878
evening's public participation he hearing we um are

00:40:59.889 --> 00:41:05.889
now off the record. Uh Goodbye, goodbye and good night