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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Tuesday, March 9, 1999; 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 March 8, 1999. 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.
ADDENDUM OF THE AGENDA
Telecommunications
On October 26, 1998, the Commission received a Complaint by Marvie Tschetter of Basec.Net against U S WEST Communications, Inc. and FirsTel, Inc. The Complainant purchased an existing business and contacted U S WEST to continue customer access through T-1 lines. U S WEST informed the Complainant that Basec.Net could not take over payment of the lines unless the previous owner's debt was paid in full. Basec.Net decided to move the equipment and obtain services through FirsTel. After obtaining the services, Basec.Net was informed by U S WEST that they would be charged for installation/construction fees, the old billings of the previous owner, and additional charges for monthly service until other options were available. Neither U S WEST nor FirsTel disclosed these costs prior to providing service. FirsTel offered a plan with minimal installation fees but could not offer the service for 15-20 days which would not allow Basec.Net's customers access to their services. The Complainant seeks the following relief: "1) Require U S WEST to inform promptly of facilities issues. 2) Some sort of financial compensation for loss of revenue." The Commission ordered a finding of probable cause and set the hearing for this matter on March 31-April 1, 1999. On March 1, 1999, U S WEST filed a motion to amend U S WEST's answer to cross claim of FirsTel, Inc. On March 3, 1999, the Commission received a motion to dismiss cross-claim of FirsTel, Inc. against U S WEST from U S WEST.
TODAY, shall the Commission grant the request from U S WEST to amend answer to cross claim of FirsTel, Inc.? And, shall the Commission grant the request to dismiss cross-claim of FirsTel, Inc. against U S WEST?
Sue Cichos, Deputy Executive Director
suec@puc.state.sd.us
March 4, 1999
