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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission

State Capitol 500 E. Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Phone: (800) 332-1782
Fax: (605) 773-3809

These are the telecommunications service filings that the Commission has received for the period of: 10/10/97 through 10/16/97

If you need a complete copy of a filing faxed, overnight expressed, or mailed to you, please contact Delaine Kolbo within five days of this filing.

REQUEST FOR ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY STATUS

TC97-163 U S WEST Communications requests that the Commission designate U S WEST an eligible telecommunications carrier for all areas in which it is authorized to provide service within the state. The request is made pursuant to 47 U.S.C. §214(e)(2) and 47 C.F.R. §54.201. (Staff: HB/KC)

Date Filed: 10/10/97
Intervention Deadline: 10/31/97

TC97-167 Three River Telco pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 214(e) and 47 CFR 54.201 hereby seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier within the local exchange area that constitutes its service area.

Three River is the facilities-based local exchange carrier presently providing local exchange telecommunications services in the following exchange: North Naper, South Dakota (605) 834. Three River, to its knowledge, is the only carrier today providing local exchange telecommunications services in the above identified exchange area. (Staff: HB/KC)

Date Filed: 10/16/97
Intervention Deadline: 10/31/97

REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY

TC97-164 Application by DTG Community Telephone, Inc. for a Certificate of Authority to operate as a telecommunications company within the state of South Dakota. (Staff: TS/KC)

"Services in South Dakota will include, but are not limited to, local exchange service, and other telecommunications services incidental to local exchange service....DTG Community Telephone, Inc. will be assuming the local exchange operations of Dakota Cooperative Telecommunications, Inc. for the following exchanges: Alsen (253), Beresford Rural (957), Chancellor (647), Davis (238), Flyger (327), Gayville (267), Hurley (238), Irene (263), Lennox (647), Monroe (297), Parker (297), Volin (267), Wakonda (267) and Worthing (372)....Because DCT will be assuming the obligations and benefits of the Eligible Telecommunications Carrier status which was granted to DTG in TC97-030, DCT will advertise its services in a manner consistent with its obligations as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier."

Date Filed: 10/15/97
Intervention Deadline: 10/31/97

NEGOTIATED INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT FILED

TC97-165 U S WEST Communications, Inc. filed for approval by the Commission the negotiated interconnection Agreement For Service Resale Between Midco Communications, Inc. and U S WEST.

The Agreement provides for Midco to resell U S WEST local exchange services in South Dakota. Any person wishing to comment on the parties' request for approval may do so by filing written comments with the Commission and the parties to the agreement no later than November 6, 1997. Parties to the agreement may file written responses to the comments no later than November 24, 1997.

Date Filed: 10/15/97
Responses Due: 11/06/97

NONCOMPETITIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS FILING

TC97-166 U S WEST Communications filed to add $.90 for the Touchtone roll-in to the Smart PAL. This increase was applied to Basic PAL Service "but was not applied to Smart Public Access Line due to the fact that the Commission had not issued an approved order on the Smart PAL rate schedule. This change will be effective October 14, 1997." (Staff: DJ/CH)

Date Filed: 10/13/97
Intervention Deadline: 10/24/97

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 15, 1997

CONTACT: Bill Bullard, PUC; 605-773-3201

CHANGES PROPOSED FOR LOW-INCOME TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS: PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED IN RAPID CITY, PIERRE, SIOUX FALLS

PIERRE--Over 2,000 South Dakota low-income elderly receive a $7.00 credit on their local residential telephone bill each month. This Lifeline Program credit, referred to as the Telephone Assistance Plan in South Dakota, is available to consumers who meet low-income guidelines, are 60 years of age or older and who are served in a current or former U S WEST Communications, Inc. (U S WEST) exchange. Also available to low-income consumers is the Link Up Program that provides a maximum $30.00 discount for connecting telephone service at a new address.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently revised the Lifeline and Link Up Programs. It expanded these Programs to include all people who participate in one of the following programs: Medicaid; food stamps; Supplemental Security Income; federal public housing assistance; or Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Any telephone company that receives universal service funds is required to offer the Lifeline and Link Up Programs.

The expansion of the Lifeline and Link Up Programs as required by the FCC will result in a significant increase in the number of South Dakotans qualifying for assistance from about 2,000 to perhaps as many as 17,000. If the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) decides to rely solely on federal funding, the amount of credit for each qualifying individual will be $5.25 per month. This means a significant increase in the number of people eligible for assistance, but a decrease of $1.75 for current Program participants.

To address these changes, the PUC will hold a series of public hearings in three locations. The purpose of these hearings will be to provide the public an opportunity to discuss the proposed changes and the impact those changes will have on residential telephone service in South Dakota.

The hearing dates and locations are listed below. All interested persons are invited to attend any one or all of the hearings.

1:00 p.m., October 27, 1997, Canyon Lake Senior Citizens Center, 2900 Canyon Lake Drive, Rapid City, SD.

1:30 p.m., October 28, 1997, State Capitol Building, Room 412, 500 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD.

9:00 a.m., October 29, 1997, Center for Active Generations, 2300 West 46th, Sioux Falls, SD.

Persons in need of special assistance should call the PUC 24 hours in advance of the hearings at 1- 800-332-1782