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Nanette S. Edwards, Execufive Di acier

C. LESSiE HAMMONDSCounsel for ORS

Office of Reguiatory Staff1401 Main Street

Suite 900Cotuinbta, SC 29201

(803) 737-QBQQ

ORS.SC.GOV

August 9, 2021

VIA ELECTRONIC FILING

Jocelyn O. Boyd, EsquireChief Clerk k AdministratorPublic Service Commission of South Carolina101 Executive Center Drive, Suite 100Columbia, South Carolina 29210

REi Petition uf the South Carolina Office ofRegulatory Staff for the Commission toOrder a Rule to Show Cause as to Why the Certificates of Public Convenienceand Necessity for Certain Providers of the Telecommunications Services ShouldNot Be Revoked

Docket No: 2021- -C

Dear Ms. Boyd:

Attached for filing in your office is the Petition of the South Ckrolina Office of RegulatoryStaff for a Rule to Show Cause pertaining to the above matter.

Please advise should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

C. Lessie Hammonds

cc: All Parties of Record (via U.S. mail)David Butler, Esquire (via electronic mail)

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BEFORE

THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

OF SOUTH CAROLINA

DOCKET NO. 2021- - C

Petition of the South Carolina Office ofRegulatory Staff for the Commission to Order aRule to Show Cause as to Why the Certificates ofPublic Convenience and Necessity for CertainProviders of the Telecommunications ServicesShould Not Be Revoked

)) PETITION OF THE SOUTH) CAROLINA OFFICE OF) REGULATORY STAFF FOR) A RULE TO SHOW CAUSE)

The South Caro!ina Office of Regulatory Staff ("ORS"), by filing this petition, would respectfully

show and request of the Public Service Commission of South Carolina ("Commission'') that:

1. The Commission is a state agency constituted pursuant to the laws of the Stat» of South

Carolina with its business offices located in Columbia, South Carolina. Further, the Commission is

responsible for the regulation of telephone utilities operating for compensation as set forth in S.C. Code

Ann. I 58-9-10 et seq, (Supp. 20 19).

2. ORS is charged with the duty to protect the public interest pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. 5

S8-4-10, et seq. (Sup'p. 2019).

3, The Telecommunications Companies ("Companies") listed in Petition Exhibit A are

certificated "telephone utilities" as defined in S.G. Code Ann, 5 58-9-10(6) 0976) in that they are persons

or corporations, their lessees, assignees, truste'es, receTvein or other successors in interest owning or

operating in this State equipment or facilities for tbe transmission of intelligence by telephorie for hire,

including all things incident thereto and related to the operation of telephones. Petition Exhibit A includes

wireless carriers which received ETC designitdon in South Carolina and agreed through a Stipulation'ofile certain reports with the Commission and/or ORS.

1) Stipulation between IM Telecom LLC dba lnflnlti Mobile and the Office of Regulatory Staff — OocketNo. 2016-279-C-Exhibit A, Page 4- Paragraph 15.

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4. The Companies listed in petition Exhibit A are subject to the jurisdfction of this

Commission pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. 6 58-9-710 et seq. (2015). Further, they have submitted

themselves to the jurisdiction of the Commission by holding a Certificate of Public Convenience and

Necessity and/or having requested and received clip'hie telecommunications carrier designation in the State

of South Carolina pursuant to federal and state requirements.

5. The Companies listed in Column A on Petition Exhibit A upon receiving their Certificates

of'Public Convenience and Necessity or designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETC),

were found to possess the technical, financial, and managerial resources sufficient to provide the services

requested. S.C. Code Ann, 6 58-9-280(B)(1) (Supp. 2019) and CFR Section 54.201 (h).

,6. Pursuant. to S.C. Code Ann. II6 58-3-100, 58-3-540, 58-4-60, and 58-9-370 (Supp. 2019),

the public utifities subject to the Commission's jurisdiction are assessed by the Department of Revenue

based on amounts that are certified by the Commission, the State Regulation of Public Utilities Review

Committee and ORS.

7. The Companies listed in Petition Exhibit A with an "X" listed in Column B have failed to

submit the requisite Gross Receipts Reports. The cenipanies are required to submit their Gross Receipts

Report to the Office of Regulatory Staff on August 31st annually.

8. The Commission payphone service provider ("PSP") guidelines approved in Order No. 97-

850 and modified by Order No. 98-76 1„requires each PSP to file annual reporting requirements by April

I of each year.

9. Gross Receipts Fees are billed to the carders by the Department of Revenue on or before

July I*'ach year. The Gross Receipts Fees are based on the Gross Recei pts Reports filed on August 31 of

the prior year. Payment of these fees are due on July 15th. Periodic reports are provided to the Office of

Regulatory Staff by the Department of Revenue indicating which carriers have not paid.

!0. The companies listedin Pefition Exhibit A with an vX" listed in Column C haveauthority

to operate in the State of So'uth Carolina and have not paid Gross Receipts Fees assessed pursuant to S.C.

Code Ann. sx6 68-3-100, 58-3-540, and 58-4-60. (Supp. 2019).

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11 ORS has the responsibility to ensure that relephone utilities are fihng certain reports. "Subject

to the approval of the Commi'ssion, the Office of Regulatory Staff may require any telephone utility to file

annual reports in such form and of such content as the Office of Regulatory Staff may require and special

reports concerning any matter about which the Office of Regulatory Staff is authorized to inquire er keep

itself informed or which it is required to enforce." S.C. Code Ann. q 58-9-370(A) (Supp. 2014).

12. The Companies listed'in Petition Exhibit A with an "X"'isted in Column D have failed to

sub'mit the requisite 2020 Annual Telecommunications Report that was due on April 1, 2021.

)3. The Universal Service Fund ("USF') is administered by the ORS under guidelines adopted

by the Commission. S.C. Code Ann. 1) 58-.9-280(E) (Supp. 2014).

14. The Cominission USF guidelines odginally approved in Order No. 2001-996 and modified

by Order No. 2016-756, requires each camer te file on an annual basis the information necessary to allow

ORS to calculate the carrier's contribution. Thisannual filing is referred to as the South Carolina Universal

Service Fiind Contribution Worksheet ("USF Worksheet").

15. The Compadies listed m Petition Exhibit A with an "X" listed in Column E have failedto'ubmitthe requisite USF Worksheet which was due on August 1, 2020.

16. The Companies fisted in Petition Exhibit A with an "X" listed in Column F have failed to

obtain customer authorization for change of utility provider service.

17. Customer authorization must be obtained prior to a utility's submission of a change request

for a hustomer's utility service. S.C. Code Ann. 1) 58-3-230.

18. The Companies listed in Petition Exhibit A with "X" listed in Column G have failgd to

respdnd to QRS regarding consumer complaints.

19. The Company is required to respond to ORS for cemplaint matters within ten (10) days

from the day the complaint conveyed by ORS is received by the utility. 10 S.C. Code Regs. 103-628.

20. The Company failed to respond to requests and inqmries from ORS regarding consumer

complaints within ten (10) days from the date received (enter da'te) by the Company. See Petition Exhibit

B, Affidavit of Chad Campbell.

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21. Commission Orders require that Companies maintain an authorized utility representalive

who is prepared to discuss customer complaint matters. Commission Order No. 2019-493 in Docket No.

2019-1QO-C, at p. 10. Applicotron of City Comnninicqtions, Incorporated for a Certificate of Public

Convenience and Ittecessfty.

22. The information for the business entities listed in Petition Exhibit A accurately reflects the

information on file with the South Carolina Secretary of State. See Petition Exhibit C, Affidavit of Kari

Muon.

23. "Each telephone utility shall obey and comply with each and every requirement of every

order, decision, direction, rble or regulation made or pre&cribed by the Commissian and every direction,

mle or regulation made or prescribed by the Office ofRegulatory Staff in the performance ... hr in relation

to any other matter in any way relating to or affecting the business of such telephone utility and shall do

everything necessary or proper in order to secure compliance with and observance of every such order,

decision, direction, rule or regulation by all of its officers, agents and employees." S C. Code Ann. h 58-

9-390 (Supp. 20 14)

24. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. I) 58-9-.1120 (Supp. 2014), "the Commission may ... conduct

such other hearings as may be required io the administration of the powers and duties conferred by Articles

I thmugh 13 of this chapter and by oth'er laws relating to telephone utilities."

WHEREFORE, the ORS staff prays that the Honorable Commission:

I. Enter an order establishing a Rule to Show Cause instituting a formal proceeding against

the persons and business entities Iidted in Petition Exhibit A to this Petition.

2, For the persons and business entities listed in Petition Exhibit A pursuant to 10 S.C. Code

Regs. IQ3-830 (Supp. 2014), causes copy of this petition to be served upon such named respondents or

other proper person or entity

3. Require the parties to submit an Answer to this Petition within the deadlines prescribed by

the Commission's rules and regulations.

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4. Schedule and conduct a formal administrative heanng to address disputed issues of fact

and law regarding theCertificate issued pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. ti 58-9-.820 {Supp. 20 14) er the Eligible

Telecommunications Carriers designation.

5. Find that the Companies listed in Petition Exhibit A have not complied with orders,

decisions, directions, rules and regulatiotts made or prescribed by the Commission.

6. Enter a final order canceling the Certificates or suspending the ETC designation of the

carriers listed dn Petition Exhibit A.

7. Take other appropriate action which the Commission may deem necessary.

C. Lessie HammondsSouth Caroling Office of Regulatory Staff1401 Main Street, Suite 900Columbia, South Caiolina 29201Phone: {803) 737-0803lhammonds@ots.sc.gov

August 9, 2021

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PETITION EXHIBIT B

BEFORE

THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

OF SOUTH CAROLINA

DOCKET NO.

August 9, 2021

IN RB: Petition of the Office of RegulatoryStaff for Commission to Order aRule to Show Cause as to WhyThe Certificates ofPublio Convenience andNecessity for Certain Froviders ofTelecommunications ServicesShould Not be Revoked

)))

) AFFIDAVIT OF Chad Campbell)))

)

The Affiant, after having been first duly sworn, deposes and states as follows:

1) My name is Chad Campbell and I am employed by the Office of Regulatory Staff

("ORS") as Consumer Services Manager.

2) My office is located at 1401 lvlain Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29201.

3) On June 30, 2021, QRS Consumer Services received a consumer complaiin against

City Communications, Inc. The complaint regarded an unauthorized switch of local telephoiie

service, initial invoice. and cominued billing. I initiated an investigation and made four (4)

attempts to contact City Communications, lnc's Customer Relations and Complaints

Representative via telephone on July 1, 2021. I received ao response. Voicemail messages were

left with my contact information. The contact number I used to reach out to City Communichtions,

fnc, was based on a revfew of Company's most recent Authorized Utility Representative Form

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PETITION EXHIBIT 8

filed at the Public Service Commission on February 1, 202 L On July 2. 2021, I sent a certified

letter to City Communications, Inc.'s General Manager detailing the consumer complaint and

requ'eating a response by July 12, 2021. The mai!ing address I used for City CommunicationS, Inc.

was based on a review of Company's most recent Authorized Vtility Representative Form filed at

the Public Service Cummission on February 1, 2021.

4) As of today's date, City Communications, Inc. has not pmvided ORS a response.

AND FVRTHER THE AFFIANT SAYETH NOT.

Chad CampbellConsumer Services, ManagerOffice of Regulatory Staff!401 Main Street, Suite 900Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Notary Public for South CarolinaMy Commission Expires:

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PETITION EXHmIT C

BEFORE

THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

OF SOUTH CAROLINA

DOCKET NO.

August 9, 2021

IN RE: Petition of the Office ofRegulatorStafffor Commission to Order aRule to Show Cause as to WhyThe Certificates ofPublic Convenience andNecessity for Certain Proidders ofTelecommunications ServicesShould Not be Revoked

)))) AFFIDAVIT OF Kari Munn))))

The Affiant, after having been first duly sworn, deposes aud states as follows:

1) My name is Kari Munn, and I sm employed by the Office of Regulatory Staff

("ORS") as the Telecommunications Senior Manager.

2) My office is looated at 1401 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29201.

3) I and/or personnel under my direction researched the South Carolina Secretary of

State's website in order to determine the corporate status of the business entities listed in Petition

Exhibit A of this Petition.

4) I attest that, to the best of my knowledge, the coiporate statuses of the business

entities listed in Petition Exhibit A are accurate

5) It is the regularpractice of ORS to maintain certain businessrecords

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PETITION EXHIBIT C

required to be filed by telecommunication carriers that are subject to the jurisdiction of the

PSC.

6) As a result of iriy duties and responsibilities, I have knowledge of the manner in

which the books and records are kept and ofany books or records which are not complete or which

are not on file with ORS as required by state statutes and regulations.

7) Qn August 9, 202 I., I examined the business records on file with ORS. I attest that

the required filings and/or responses listed in Petition Exhibit A of this Petition are delinquent.

AND FURTHER THE AFFIANT SAYETH NOT.

Senior ManagerTelecommunicationsOIBee of Regulatory Staff1401 Main Street, Suite 900Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Sworn and subscribed efore methis ~day of

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BEFORE

THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

OF SOUTH CAROLINA

DOCKET NO. 2021- -C

Petition of the South Carolina Office ofRegulatory Staff for the Commission to Ordera Rule to Show Cause as to Why theCertificates of Public Convenience andNecessity for'ertain Providers of theTelecommunications Services Should Not BeRevoked

)

)

)) CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE))

)

)

)

This is to certify that I, Vicki L. Watts, have this date served one (1) copy of PETITION

OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF FOR A RULE TO

SHOW CAUSE in the above-referenced matter to the person(s) named below by causing said

copy to be mailed by the United States Postal Service.

SEE ATTACHED EXHIBIT A

Vicki L. Watts

July 9„2021Columbia, South Carolina

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