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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, October 12, 2004
CONTACT: Sue Schaefer, (605) 773-3201

Almost 170,000 South Dakota numbers registered on Do-Not-Call List at one-year anniversary

South Dakota consumers have good reason to celebrate the first anniversary of the state's Do- Not-Call (DNC) List: 169,973 numbers have been registered on the South Dakota Do-Not-Call List. Nationwide, the number of registrants recently topped the 62 million mark.

"People are enjoying meal time and family time with fewer interruptions," said Public Utilities Commission Chairman Bob Sahr. "Senior citizens and people with disabilities no longer have the inconvenience of constant calls. This is why the Do-Not-Call List is so important."

"The Do-Not-Call List has been incredibly successful," said Vice Chairman Gary Hanson. "It has exceeded the expectations of regulators and consumers alike, and every study shows people are extremely satisfied with how the list has worked."

Another highlight came last week by way of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to uphold a lower-court ruling that telemarketers' rights to free speech are not violated by the Do-Not-Call List.

"We hold that the Do-Not-Call registry is a valid commercial speech regulation because it directly advances the government's important interests in safeguarding personal privacy and reducing the danger of telemarketing abuse without burdening an excessive amount of speech," the appeals court said.

The PUC wants every South Dakotan to have the opportunity to register his or her home phone and wireless phone on the list.

"We know there are people who still want to register but haven't done it yet," said Commissioner Jim Burg. "If you, or a relative or friend haven't signed up, there are two easy ways to register."

You can register at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. The PUC also has developed a new brochure that is available to the public explaining the Do Not Call Registry program. You may view it online at www.puc.sd.gov, or request a copy by calling 1-800-332-1782.