The N.M. Public Regulation Commission expedited its inquiry into ...
The N.M. Public Regulation Commission expedited its inquiry into an exchange transfer dispute between Qwest and the Pojoaque Pueblo -- which could affect up to 50,000 customers across northern N.M. -- after learning that Qwest and the pueblo had…
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broken off negotiations. The dispute began in early spring when the pueblo tribal govt. chose Mescalero Apache Telecom to replace Qwest as the pueblo’s incumbent carrier in hopes of obtaining more-advanced phone services. The pueblo and Qwest entered into negotiations regarding transfer of the area’s exchange prefix and switching facility, but those talks stumbled on the matter of price. The facility is on a leased plot of pueblo land, and the pueblo decided not to renew the lease when it expires in Oct. The dispute caused the PRC concern because the switching office serves not only the pueblo but also adjacent Pojoaque Valley communities. It’s also where Qwest’s network connects with Windstream Communications’ facilities serving tens of thousands of customers across northern N.M. Qwest said it would build 5 microwave towers to reroute Pojoaque Valley traffic and Windstream meet-point traffic to its Santa Fe office. The PRC said it’s concerned that Qwest’s transition to a new routing system could disrupt phone service across northern N.M. Some Pojoaque Valley residents also voiced concerns about the towers’ visual and environmental impact. The PRC told all parties to file their written positions by June 13 and said it will hold hearings this month.