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NOTE: If you wish to join this meeting by conference call, please contact the Commission at 605-773-3201 by 5:00 p.m., November 22, 1996.

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 of November 1, 1996; And The Ad Hoc Commission Meeting Of November 8, 1996. (Staff: Shirleen Fugitt.)

1. Status Report On Consumer Utility Inquiries And Complaints Recently Received By The Commission. (Consumer Representative: Leni Hook.)

The Commission has received 1224 consumer contacts during 1996. 96 contacts have been recorded since the November 1,1996, Commission meeting.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS: 81 contacts concerning telecommunications issues have been received since the last meeting. 43 contacts involved billing issues; 17 contacts dealt with the unauthorized switching of long distance service; 10 contacts involved repair issues; 5 consumers did not get service installed when promised; 3 contacts involved disconnections; and 3 contacts involved 900# charges.

ELECTRICITY: 7 complaints involving electricity were reported. 5 disconnection issues were addressed as well as 2 contacts classified as "other."

GAS: 8 complaints involving natural gas were reported. 3 complaints concerned disconnections; 3 consumer contacts were listed as "other;" 2 contacts reported service repair concerns.

A total of 972 complaints have been resolved informally during 1996.

1. IN THE MATTER OF THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSION AGAINST H.S.S. VENDING DISTRIBUTORS. (Consumer Representative: Leni Hook. General Counsel: Rolayne Wiest.)

On October 7, 1996, the Commission received a verbal complaint from Jeanne Iversen (Complainant) against H.S.S. Vending Distributors (H.S.S.) regarding a sweepstakes contest she had entered. Unbeknownst to the Complainant, the sweepstakes entry also represented an application for a long distance calling card. Complainant was then billed by H.S.S. for an installation fee and a monthly billing fee. The Commission successfully resolved this complaint informally, with H.S.S. agreeing to reimburse the Complainant for its fees. Also on October 7, 1996, the Commission sent a letter to H.S.S. informing the company that, among other things, it was operating without a required Certificate of Authority within the state of South Dakota. The letter further suggested that the company make application for such certificate. To date, the Commission has not received an application from the company. In addition to this specific complaint, the Commission has received 32 similar complaints against H.S.S.

TODAY, shall the Commission open a docket and issue an Order to Show Cause as to why the Commission should not issue a Cease and Desist Order against H.S.S. or other appropriate remedy?

2. TC96-126 IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF CFW COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN SOUTH DAKOTA. (Staff Analyst: Dave Jacobson. Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer.)

On July 15, 1996, the Commission received an application from CFW Communications Services Inc. (CFW) for a Certificate of Authority to operate as a telecommunications company within the state of South Dakota. According to its application, CFW proposes to offer prepaid calling cards which will be resold by South Dakota independent telephone companies. Independent NECA Services will act as an intermediary, performing an intercompany billing and collection function between CFW and the independent telephone companies. No interventions have been filed.

TODAY, shall the Commission grant CFW a Certificate of Authority?

3. TC96-178 IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF ALL AMERICAN TELEPHONE, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN SOUTH DAKOTA. (Staff Analyst: Tammi Hendrix. Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck.)

On October 28, 1996, the Commission received an application from All American Telephone, Inc. (All American) for a Certificate of Authority to operate as a telecommunications company within the state of South Dakota. All American proposes to offer 1+, 800, travel card, and prepaid calling card service as well as directory assistance to both business and residential users. No interventions have been filed.

TODAY, shall the Commission grant All American a Certificate of Authority?

4. TC96-179 IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING BY U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. FOR APPROVAL OF ITS STATEMENT OF GENERALLY AVAILABLE TERMS. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best. Staff Attorneys: Camron Hoseck and Karen Cremer.)

On October 30, 1996, the Commission received a filing from U S WEST Communications, Inc. (U S WEST) for approval of its Statement of Generally Available Terms. The filing includes information classified as proprietary by U S WEST. On November 7, 1996, U S WEST filed with the Commission a request for confidential treatment of certain information. On October 31, 1996, the Commission electronically transmitted notice of the filing and the intervention deadline of November 8, 1996, to interested individuals and entities. Intervention in this docket has been granted to Dakota Cooperative Telecommunications, Inc. (DCT), MCI Telecommunications Corporation (MCI), AT&T Communications of the Midwest, Inc. (AT&T), Midco Communications (Midco), Telecommunications Action Group (TAG), Sprint Communications, L.P. (Sprint) and the South Dakota Independent Telephone Coalition, Inc. (SDITC). On November 15, 1996, the Commission received a late-filed petition to intervene by McLeod Telemanagement, Inc. (McLeod).

TODAY, shall the Commission grant intervention to McLeod?

1. The next Commission meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 9, 1996, in Room LCR-1 of the State Capitol Building in Pierre, SD.

______________________________
William Bullard, Jr.
Executive Director
Wednesday, November 20, 1996