03-06-2025
Dish Wireless can offer Lifeline in some of state
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — State regulators are allowing Dish Wireless to join 36 other communication providers that offer federally subsidized Lifeline services in South Dakota.
The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved the application from Dish Wireless, which will do business as Gen Mobile.
However, under a related agreement with the South Dakota Telecommunications Association, Dish Wireless will be allowed to serve only South Dakota CenturyLink wire centers and can't extend into any rural service area served by any of SDTA's 18 member companies and cooperatives.
SDTA had previously intervened in the Dish Wireless docket, questioning whether granting the designation requested by Dish was in the best interest of consumers living in rural service areas.
The two sides reached further agreement last month that the matter wouldn't proceed to a formal hearing unless the commission wanted one.
Sola Lee, a lawyer for Dish Wireless, told the state commission on Tuesday that the Lifeline services would be launched within two weeks of federal approval and receipt of additional information.
Kara Semmler, representing SDTA, asked that the agreement limiting Dish's service area be incorporated in the commission's decision.
Commissioner Chris Nelson said there have been instances of fraud and abuse in the Lifeline program at the national level.
'In South Dakota we have zero tolerance for that type of nonsense,' Nelson said. He asked what assurance Dish could provide that it won't occur in South Dakota.
Dish attorney Lee said the company has 'a lot of measures in place' and vowed to work with the commission, others in state government or anyone 'to resolve the matter and make sure it never happens again.'
'On our side we will do everything in our power to prevent fraud,' Lee said and offered her direct line and email.
Commission chair Gary Hanson made the motion to grant the designation Dish needed to offer Lifeline in South Dakota. Nelson asked that the representations made by Lee during the meeting Tuesday also be part of it.
Commissioner Kristie Fiegen thanked the PUC staff for its 12-page memo outlining the issues and said the Dish docket could serve as training for a new commissioner. Hanson, who's been on the commission since 2003, doesn't plan to seek re-election in 2026 as his fourth term expires.
Fiegen observed that the information Dish provided in response to the staff's data requests allowed the three commissioners to see 'behind the curtain.'
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