Phone Outage Affects Several South Dakota Communities

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Phone Outage Affects Several South Dakota Communities

By Leslie Rupiper

Story Created: May 27, 2008 at 7:12 PM CST

Story Updated: May 28, 2008 at 9:00 AM CST

Midcontinent Communications restored phone service around 9:05pm Tuesday night in several South Dakota and North Dakota communities. Tom Simmons, the Senior Vice President of Public Policy for Midcontinent, says the company serves about 80,000 customers in those two states, but he says it's unclear at this time just how many were without phone service. Simmons says the outage is not affecting internet service.

Crews were working on a master switch in Sioux Falls. The outages affected areas near Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Huron, Watertown, Pierre, Aberdeen and Rapid City. Simmons says the outage was first reported at around 3:40 this afternoon.

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Wednesday, May 28 at 8:15 PM Robinson wrote ...

I was happy with Qwest phone service, but around early March, Midco notified me and several others here that we no longer have a choice on who our pfone carrier is, and was forced to go to a digital system. I am a communications engineer myself, and dont care for the digital system as it still has many bugs to work out, give me back my true landline! I am currently researching a few things, and am considering a suit against Midco for their lack of service.

Wednesday, May 28 at 1:45 PM Joe wrote ...

I believe this goes to show that we all need to stick with our local telephone company. These big companies come into our towns promising the world and yet they cannot deliver. Sure they may be cheaper yet they cannot deliver the local service that is provided by our local phone companies.

Wednesday, May 28 at 10:45 AM Kate wrote ...

Robinson, I have experienced the same type of things you have described. I'm frustrated. That's why I posted this. MidCo has more unhappy customers than they may realize. ...I have been fortunate never to have had my phone shut off, but this latest "goof," if you will, has pushed my patience to the limits. I, like many other others, pay my bill on time. It is my understanding that approximately 85,000 customers were without telephone service last evening.

Wednesday, May 28 at 9:37 AM new employee KD wrote ...

too bad qwest got bought out by verizon just like unicel did and too bad that it has to do with the switch its not actually midcontinent that does this and people need to be more understanding.. its like the weather we can't predict everthing

Wednesday, May 28 at 8:24 AM Carrie wrote ...

This is why I am glad I have Qwest services instead of Midcontinent.

Wednesday, May 28 at 3:12 AM Draiman wrote ...

The new Disturbed album comes out June 3rd. That makes me feel better from my lack of service from Midcontinent.

Wednesday, May 28 at 12:59 AM Robinson wrote ...

Oh and it effected all of Vermillion also. would have been nice if midco had even sent an alert through tv sevices similar to that of the EAS or even an email or ticker along sign in on the net which was not affected.

Wednesday, May 28 at 12:57 AM Robinson wrote ...

I am upset I was told I didnt have a choice on my phone as midco was requiring an all digital package, so now I have occasional dropped service because of midcos inability to maintain a network. I have had several service calls and issues from faulty equipment to scrammbeld images dropped audio dropped internet service at times, and yet I was told I would get a credit for switching from a standard phone line to a digital, and still havent seen such credit, but they sure are quick to demand money

Tuesday, May 27 at 10:46 PM Sam wrote ...

You account would have to be over 90 days past due before that company turns your phone off, not a matter of a few hours.

Tuesday, May 27 at 8:45 PM Kate wrote ...

Will customers of Midcontinet be permitted to pro-rate their own telephone bills due to the lack of service? I simply question this due to the fact that if someone does not pay a phone bill for any reason, said person does not recieve telephone service. Hence, if the service is not provided for any reason, that specific portion of the payment should be withheld from the provider; in this case Midcontinent.I anxiously await any comments, either positive or negative should this comment be posted.

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