Public service commission seeking comment on CenturyLink service in rural Montana

The Montana Public Service Commission has opened an investigation into the adequacy of legacy telephone systems owned and operated by CenturyLink Communications, LLC, and its affiliated Montana carriers. Many rural Montanans rely on these legacy systems for phone service, including access to emergency services. The formal investigation was opened in December after the Commission received complaints from Wibaux County Commissioners and citizens who expressed concern about unreliable phone service and associated effects on public safety.

CenturyLink and its affiliates, CenturyTel of Montana and Qwest Corporation, operate the land line telephone system, most of which was first installed in Montana by Mountain Bell before the breakup of AT&T in 1984. The growth of broadband internet and cell phone service has made many legacy phone systems obsolete; however, those wireless services are not available in some areas of rural Montana. In those areas, residents rely on CenturyLink’s wired telephone service, but many have complained that the service is unreliable.

Among concerns raised are long service outages in rural areas, the inability to access 911 services, and storms causing CenturyLink infrastructure to initiate false 911 calls. Montana law requires regulated utilities to provide reasonably adequate service and facilities.

Interested parties can comment on the investigation or formally intervene to participate in the investigation. Petitions for intervention must be filed with the Commission no later than January 31, 2022. The Commission invites the public to submit comments by email to pschelp@mt.gov or by mail to the Commission’s mailing address at P.O. Box 202601, Helena, MT 59620.

The Commission regulates private investor-owned natural gas, electric, legacy telephone, water, and sewer companies, certain motor carriers, and oversees natural gas pipeline safety and railroad safety within Montana. The Commission works to ensure that Montanans receive safe and reliable service from regulated public utilities and that the utilities charge fair prices. For more information, visit psc.mt.gov or contact the Commission at 1-800-646-6150. Follow the Commission at Twitter.com/@MT_PSC or visit Facebook.com/MontanaPSC.