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PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING

August 18, 1997; 1:30 P.M.
State Capitol Building, Room 412
Pierre, South Dakota

ADDENDUM TO THE AGENDA OF THE COMMISSION MEETING

Telecommunications

1. TC97-016 IN THE MATTER OF THE INVESTIGATION OF U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. SERVICE QUALITY PERFORMANCE. (Staff Analyst: Greg Rislov. Staff Attorney: Rolayne Wiest.)

TC97-049 IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING BY U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. FOR REVISIONS TO ITS EXCHANGE AND NETWORK SERVICES TARIFF AND EXCHANGE AND NETWORK SERVICES CATALOG. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best. Staff Attorney: Rolayne Wiest.)

On February 20, 1997, the Commission opened docket TC97-016 to review U S WEST's service quality performance pursuant to the Commission's Order Approving Stipulation and Addendum in Docket TC94-121. In that docket, the Commission approved a rate increase for residential and business basic local exchange service. The Commission further decided that a proposed second increase may be implemented at the end of 18 months from the first increase depending on U S WEST's service quality performance. The Commission directed the Commission staff to review U S WEST's service quality performance at the end of 12 months following the effective date of the increase. Interventions were granted to MCI Telecommunications Corporation (MCI) and AT&T Communications of the Midwest, Inc. (AT&T).

On April 30, 1997, the Commission received a filing by U S WEST that reflects the second phase of increase which is docket TC97-049. On June 3, 1997, at a duly noticed meeting, the Commission decided to consolidate dockets TC97-016 and TC97-049.

On June 12, 1997, the Commission commenced a hearing in this matter as scheduled. The Commission continued the hearing so that the parties and the Commission could identify any outstanding issues once the June 12, 1997, transcript became available. The procedure established by the Commission permitted U S WEST to draft a list of the issues and witnesses it believed were relevant to complete the hearing based upon concerns and questions raised by the Commission. A second hearing was commenced as scheduled on July 16, 1997.

TODAY, shall the Commission approve in whole or in part, or delay or reject the second U S WEST rate increase scheduled to be implemented at the end of 18 months from the first increase?

___________________________
William Bullard Jr.
Executive Director
Thursday, August 14, 1997