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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchives'CHOICE DID NOT MEET ITS BURDEN OF PROOF'

'CHOICE DID NOT MEET ITS BURDEN OF PROOF'

Dear Source,
It is unfortunate that the Source chose to comment on the Public Service Commission's decision relative to Choice Communications' request for DS3 service without apparently having read the hearing examiner's report and recommendation or knowing precisely what took place at the proceedings on May 4.
At no time did the hearing examiner suggest that there was "no need for more bandwidth in the territory and that the rate payers and Economic Development Commission beneficiary companies aren't interested in having readily available, high-speed Internet service that works."
What was said was that Choice did not meet its burden of proof to establish that there was such a need. That is what they were required to do in the proceeding that they brought; they didn't do it. Therefore, on the record before the hearing examiner and on which the recommendation was made to the commission, there was no basis for the commission to order that the service be provided.
As a news source, even when presenting your editorial opinion, it is important that you understand the issue on which you are commenting and provide an informed opinion.
Rosalie Simmonds Ballentine
St. Thomas

Editor's note: Rosalie Simmonds Ballentine is the PSC's hearing examiner for the case cited.
We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.

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