123099 - 010500

Public Utilities Commission
Capitol Building, 1st floor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Phone: (605) 773-3201

Commission Weekly Filings | previous page

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
WEEKLY FILINGS
For the Period of December 30, 1999 through January 5, 2000

If you need a complete copy of a filing faxed, overnight expressed, or mailed to you, please contact Delaine Kolbo within five business days of this filing.
Phone: 605-773-3705 Fax: 605-773-3809

CONSUMER COMPLAINTS

CT00-001 In the Matter of the Complaint filed by Jeanette Moes, Watertown, South Dakota, against OLS, Inc. Regarding Switching Telecommunications Services Through Deceptive Tactics.

The Complainant indicates through a telephone call a man lead her to believe he was with U S WEST offering 10 cents per minute long distance rates, 100 free minutes of long distance, and no monthly fees. The Complainant is requesting that the state laws on slamming be enforced, that she be compensated for her inconvenience, and all assessed fees be removed.

Staff Analyst: Leni Healy
Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer
Date Received: 12/27/99
Date Filed: 01/03/00
Intervention Deadline: NA

CT00-002 In the Matter of the Complaint filed by Dan Grider, Baltic, South Dakota, against Qwest Communications, Inc. Regarding Unauthorized Switching of Services.

On December 28, 1999, the Commission received a complaint from Dan Grider of Baltic, South Dakota, against Qwest regarding unauthorized switching of services. The complainant alleges that his long distance provider was switched to Qwest without his authorization.

Staff Analyst: Keith Senger
Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck
Date Received: 12/28/99
Date Filed: 01/03/00
Intervention Date: N/A

CT00-003 In the Matter of the Complaint filed by Elaine M. Ingalls, Watertown, South Dakota, against OLS, Inc. Regarding Switching Telecommunications Services Through Deceptive Tactics.

The Complainant claims she received a telephone call from U S WEST indicating a change in her billing. As a result, her long distance service was switched from AT&T to OLS. She is requesting that all OLS charges be removed from her billing.

Staff Analyst: Leni Healy
Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer
Date Received: 12/28/99
Date Filed: 01/03/00
Intervention Deadline: NA

CT00-004 In the Matter of the Complaint filed by Jeanne Stich, McCook Lake, South Dakota, against OLS, Inc. Regarding Promised Rates Which Were Not Assessed.

The Complainant alleges that OLS promised a rate of 10 cents per minute for all long distance calls, 100 free minutes of service, and no switching fees. When the Complainant received her billing, she was not assessed the promised rates or terms. The Complainant is requesting that all charges paid to this company be removed.

Staff Analyst: Leni Healy
Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer
Date Received: 12/30/99
Date Filed: 01/03/00
Intervention Deadline: NA

CT00-005 In the Matter of the Complaint filed by William L. Frost, Watertown, South Dakota, against OLS, Inc. Regarding Switching Telecommunications Services Through Deceptive Tactics.

The Complainant indicates that his long distance service was switched through deceptive tactics. The Complainant requests that the Commission revoke the company's license, assess fines, award compensation, and remove all charges assessed by this company.

Staff Analyst: Leni Healy
Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer
Date Received: 12/30/99
Date Filed: 01/03/00
Intervention Deadline: NA

CT00-006 In the Matter of the Complaint filed by Earl and Pauline DeHoogh, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, against OLS, Inc. Regarding Switching Telecommunications Services Through Deceptive Tactics.

The Complainants indicate that through a deceptive telephone call, their long distance was switched to OLS. They are requesting that the Commission assess a large fine.

Staff Analyst: Leni Healy
Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer
Date Received: 12/30/99
Date Filed: 01/03/00
Intervention Deadline: NA

CT00-007 In the Matter of the Complaint filed by Robert Fogg, Jr., Martin, South Dakota, against AT&T Communications of the Midwest, Inc. Regarding Promised Rates Which Were Not Assessed.

On December 30, 1999, the Commission received a complaint from Robert Fogg, Jr. of Martin, South Dakota, against AT&T regarding deceptive business practices and advertising. The complainant alleges that he was offered 7 cents per minute for all long distance interstate calls during the hours of 7 AM to 7 PM Monday through Friday, and 5 cents per minute for the balance of the week. In addition, he was offered 120 free minutes each month for the next six months. The complainant further alleges that once AT&T became aware that he lives in South Dakota, the offer was withdrawn. Mr. Fogg is requesting a full refund of all charges in excess of the 7 cents per minute, the rates that he was offered, 120 free minutes of interstate long distance for 6 months, and a fine imposed against AT&T in the amount of $10,000/day.

Staff Analyst: Heather Forney
Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck
Date Received: 12/30/99
Date Filed: 01/03/99
Intervention Date: N/A

CT00-008 In the Matter of the Complaint filed by Banner Associates, Inc., Brookings, South Dakota, against NOS Communications, Inc. Regarding Billing Issues.

The Complainant alleges that a salesperson offered a rate of 7.9 cents per minute for interstate calls and 14.9 cents per minute for intrastate calls. When questioned the salesperson verified the rate and stated there would be no other charges. The first two months the rates were honored, he subsequent months were billed at a higher rate. The complainant was told they were being billed those rates per call unit and a call unit was not equivalent to a minute. Complainant entered an agreement contingent on a per minute rate and not a call unit rate. The Complainant is requesting restitution for the amount they were billed over and above the agreed upon rate of 7.9 cents per minute and 14.9 cents per minute for interstate and intrastate calls respectively. They are also requesting that NOS Communications be required to inform their prospective customers verbally and in writing of their billing method so as not to mislead future customers.

Staff Analyst: Michele Farris
Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck
Date Received: 12/30/99
Date Filed: 01/03/00
Intervention Deadline: NA

CT00-009 In the Matter of the Complaint filed by Elizabeth A. Ewald, Watertown, South Dakota, against OLS, Inc. Regarding Switching of Services Through Deceptive Practices.

The Complainant alleges that a representative claiming to be from U S WEST contacted her concerning recent legislation which would require changes on her billing. As a result of this conversation her telecommunications service was switched to OLS. The Complainant asks that the Commission assess fines and penalties against OLS for this action.

Staff Analyst: Leni Healy
Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer
Date Received: 01/03/00
Date Filed: 01/05/00
Intervention Deadline: NA

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

TC99-126 In the Matter of A C S Tel Com Inc.'s Failure to Submit a Report and Pay the Gross Receipts Tax.

A C S Tel Com Inc. shall appear on February 3, 2000, at 1:30 p.m. in the Cactus Conference Room, State Capitol Building, Pierre, SD, to show cause why action should not be taken against the company for failure to comply with SDCL Chapter 49-1A.