Commission Agendas | previous page
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Tuesday, June 8, 1999; 2:00 P.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 June 7, 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 TO THE AGENDA
Consumer Issues
On October 8, 1998, the Commission received a complaint by Sheryl L. Klein against U S WEST Communications, Inc. regarding poor service. The Complainant outlines a series of service outages, repair difficulties, outdated service and staffing issues. The Complainant seeks the following relief: "We want the line fixed completely and permanently, so it functions at a 100% reliable level. We want this done now, before another winter sets in. We have been told several possible problems by U S West repairmen including aging lines and old systems. We do not know what the solution is, but want it found and implemented now. We ask that U S West be required to make whatever investment is necessary to fully remedy the problem. We also want to be reimbursed for a reasonable amount for the loss of phone service and the associated stress and hassles. We request $500.00." A hearing in this matter was held on February 3, 1999, in Mission, South Dakota. Additionally, on June 4, 1999, U S WEST filed a Motion to Extend Deadline from June 8, 1999 to July 30, 1999, with the Commission.
TODAY, how shall the Commission proceed? Additionally, shall the Commission grant the motion to Extend Deadline to July 30, 1999?
On October 8, 1998, the Commission received a complaint by JoAnn C. Klein against U S WEST Communications, Inc. regarding poor service. The Complainant outlines a series of service outages, repair difficulties, outdated service, phantom calls, and staffing issues. The Complainant seeks the following relief: "contact U S West and insist that our long continuation of poor service and outages be corrected. Also reimbursement or credit for days when phone lines have been out." Mrs. Klein also requests that her billing for 24 directory assistance calls and long distance calls which were not made by the Kleins be credited from their billing. A hearing in this matter was held on February 3, 1999, in Mission, South Dakota. Additionally, on June 4, 1999, U S WEST filed a Motion to Extend Deadline from June 8, 1999 to July 30, 1999, with the Commission.
TODAY, how shall the Commission proceed? Additionally, shall the Commission grant the motion to Extend Deadline to July 30, 1999?
On November 6, 1998, the Commission received a complaint by Lawrence Klein against U S WEST Communications, Inc. regarding poor service and a request to have lines updated. The complainant explains a history of poor and unreliable telephone service. The complainant outlines the necessity of the telephone and seeks reliable telephone service. A hearing in this matter was held on February 3, 1999, in Mission, South Dakota. Additionally, on June 4, 1999, U S WEST filed a Motion to Extend Deadline from June 8, 1999 to July 30, 1999, with the Commission.
TODAY, how shall the Commission proceed? Additionally, shall the Commission grant the motion to Extend Deadline to July 30, 1999?
On December 11, 1998, the Commission received a complaint from Margaret Figert, Mission, South Dakota, against USWC regarding poor service and request to have lines updated. The complaint notes a history of poor, interrupted, and sporadic service, and an inability to transmit data and use the internet. The complainant is requesting USWC to upgrade their lines throughout southern Todd County, South Dakota, or sell out to Golden West, Wall, South Dakota who has fiber optic cable. A hearing in this matter was held on February 3, 1999, in Mission, South Dakota. Additionally, on June 4, 1999, U S WEST filed a Motion to Extend Deadline from June 8, 1999 to July 30, 1999, with the Commission.
TODAY, how shall the Commission proceed? Additionally, shall the Commission grant the motion to Extend Deadline to July 30, 1999?
Telecommunications
On March 23, 1999, the Federal Communications Commission issued an order establishing new deadlines for implementation of intraLATA dialing parity by local exchange carriers: In the Matters of Implementation of the Local Competition Provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996; Petition of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, Pacific Bell, and Nevada Bell for Expedited Declaratory Ruling on Interstate IntraLATA Toll Dialing Parity or, in the Alternative, Various Other Relief, CC Docket No. 96- 98, FCC 99-54 (released March 23, 1999). The order states that "[n]o later than April 22, 1999, all LECs must file intraLATA toll dialing parity plans with the state regulatory commission for each state in which the LEC provides telephone exchange service if a plan has not yet been filed with such state commission. Once a state commission has approved a plan, the LEC must implemen plan no later than 30 days after the date on which the plan is approved." A ad hoc meeting on March 30, 1999, the Commission voted to open a docket and establish a procedural schedule in this matter. Local Exchange Carriers were requested to file an IntraLATA Toll Dialing Parity plan by April 22, 1999. On May 26, 1999, AT&T filed for Commission approval of its carrier notification letter in advance of final Commission action on the proposed plans. In its amended plan, Jefferson Telephone Company asked for advanced approval of its customer letter.
TODAY, shall the Commission grant the approval of the carrier notification letters in advance of final Commission action to AT&T? And, how shall the Commission proceed in this docket? Additionally, shall the Commission grant advance approval of Jefferson Telephone Company's customer letter?
_________________________________
Sue Cichos, Deputy Executive Director
suec@puc.state.sd.us
June 7, 1999
