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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Monday, December 14, 1998; 2:00 P.M.
State Capitol Building, Room 464
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 Friday, December 11, 1998. Please keep in mind that a limited number of telephone lines are available. Every effort should be made for parties in the same city to be on the same line when calling in.
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.
AGENDA OF THE COMMISSION MEETING
Administration
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The Commission Meeting Held On December 7, 1998. (Staff: Shirleen Fugitt.)
Consumer Affairs1. Status Report On Consumer Utility Inquiries And Complaints Recently Received By The Commission. (Consumer Affairs: Leni Healy.)
The Commission has received 3151 consumer contacts during 1998. 73 contacts have been received since the December 7, 1998, Commission meeting.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: 53 of the contacts involved telecommunication issues. 9 contacts involved the unauthorized billing for services; 9 contacts involved unethical telemarketers; 8 contacts involved the unauthorized switching of long distance service; 6 contacts involved billing for higher rates than authorized; 3 contacts involved billing; 3 contacts concerned fees; 3 contacts concerned poor service; 2 contacts concerned deposits; 2 contacts did not get service when promised; and the remaining contacts involved cellular service, directory listing, disconnection, double billing, pay phones, Internet service and sales tax.
ELECTRICITY: 11 contacts involving electricity were reported. 5 contacts involved disconnection; 2 contacts involved rates; 2 contacts involved outages; and the remaining contacts concerned deposits and installation costs.
NATURAL GAS: 9 contacts involving natural gas were reported. 3 contacts commented on a rate increase request; 2 contacts involved high billings; and the remaining contacts concerned disconnection, poor service, outages, and "other."
A total of 2526 complaints have been resolved informally during 1998.
ElectricOn November 17, 1998, the Commission received a complaint by Bonnie Slade against Northern States Power Company. The Complainant claims an unusually high number of electrical outages has caused great inconvenience and aggravated health conditions. The Complainant requests that Northern States Power upgrade its lines and substations.
TODAY, does the Commission find probable cause of an unlawful or unreasonable act, rate, practice or omission to go forward with this complaint and serve it upon the Respondent?
TelecommunicationsOn September 4, 1998, U S WEST Communications, Inc. filed a supplemental brief in support of its proposed interconnection agreement language. AT&T also filed a brief regarding the disputed issues. On November 13, 1998, the Commission received a Revised Brief Regarding Disputed Issues in the Interconnection Agreement from AT&T. U S WEST filed a Brief in Support of Remaining Contract Issues. Both companies are requesting a Commission ruling on the remaining disputed issues.
TODAY, what is the Commission's decision?
2. TC98-064 IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF IDT AMERICA, CORP. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN SOUTH DAKOTA. (Staff Analyst: Dave Jacobson. Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck.)
On March 26, 1998, the Commission received an application by IDT America, Corp. for a Certificate of Authority to operate as a telecommunications company within the state of South Dakota. Applicant proposes to provide 24-hour intrastate interexchange telecommunications services, including 1+ direct dialing, 800 services, travel card and pre-paid debit card services.
TODAY, shall the Commission grant a Certificate of Authority to IDT America, Corp.?
On March 30, 1998, the Commission received an application by Cable & Wireless Global Card Services, Inc. for a Certificate of Authority to operate as a telecommunications company within the state of South Dakota. "Initially, C & W Card Services seeks to offer interexchange service through methods commonly known as prepaid telephone or debit card and postpaid telephone or travel card. Applicant, however, requests general authority to provide a full range of 1+ interexchange services including, inter alia, MTS, WATS, calling card, prepaid calling card and toll free service products."
TODAY, shall the Commission grant a Certificate of Authority to Cable & Wireless Global Card Services?
Announcements- A hearing in Docket TC98-176 (Kieffer v. USWC) is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on December 15, 1998, in the Rapid City Area School Administrative Office, Rapid City, South Dakota.
- A hearing in Docket TC98-155 (Spear v. USWC) is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on December 15, 1998, in the Rapid City Area School Administrative Office, Rapid City, South Dakota.
- A hearing in Docket TC98-146 (GCC as an ETC) is scheduled for December 17-18, 1998, in Room 412 of the State Capitol.
- A hearing in Docket NG97-021 is scheduled for January 4-5, 1999, in Room 412 of the State Capitol.
- Commissioners Burg and Nelson will be attending the MARC meetings in San Antonio, TX, January 7-10, 1999.
- The next regularly scheduled Commission meeting will be held Wednesday, January 6, 1999, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 412 of the State Capitol Building.
_________________________
Sue Cichos
Deputy Executive Director
December 8, 1998
