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PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, March 10, 1998; 10:00 A.M.
State Capitol Building, Room 412
Pierre, South Dakota

NOTE: If you wish to join this meeting by conference call, please contact the Commission at 605-773-3201 by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 1998.

NOTE: Notice is further given to persons with disabilities that this Commission meeting is being held in a physically accessible place. If you have special needs, please notify the Commission and we will make all necessary arrangements.

Notice: The docket summary and recommendation for Commission action in the following docket is hereby amended. Although the following docket is included in the March 10, 1998, Agenda of the Commission Meeting (Agenda), this Addendum supersedes the Agenda in this matter.

1. IN THE MATTER OF EXCESSIVE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST BASIC LONG DISTANCE FOR QUESTIONABLE MARKETING PRACTICES AND UNAUTHORIZED SWITCHING OF LONG DISTANCE SERVICE. (Consumer Affairs: Leni Healy.)

At the December 18, 1997, Commission meeting, staff reported a concern over the increasing number of consumer complaints dealing with the company, Utility Analysts, doing business as Basic Long Distance. The Commission directed Staff to obtain documentation from the company and provide an update at a future Commission meeting. The information was obtained and an update was provided at the February 3rd Commission meeting which included a report that this company was scheduled for a show cause hearing for nonpayment of gross receipts taxes on that afternoon. Payment of the gross receipts taxes was made shortly before the meeting. Following Staff's February 3, 1998, update to the Commission, the Commission received an additional 22 consumer complaints against the company. Staff has investigated 88 total consumer complaints against Basic Long Distance and none have been resolved to the satisfaction of the consumers or Staff.

TODAY, Shall the Commission issue an Order to Show Cause directing Basic Long Distance to appear before the Commission and demonstrate why the Commission should not take certain actions against Basic Long Distance including the revocation of the company's Certificate of Authority?

______________________
William Bullard Jr.
Executive Director March 5, 1998