Ping_It
join:2004-03-11
Waitsfield, VT | reply to fAcEtIOUs
Re: Vermont legislators can't make up their minds ..... It never ceases to amaze me when right wing fanatics seize upon an article to espouse their biased opinions regardless of the facts of the situation. As my battle scared Vietnam veteran friend would say; “Opinions are like a**holes, everybody’s got one.”
Should you care to consider the facts, there are two issues of concern; first the sale of Verizon’s land lines and the purchase by Verizon Wireless of RCC.
The first matter is of concern because the “deal” is the sale of Verizon’s land lines in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine to Fairpoint Communications, a small regional non unionized telecommunication company, which is being financed entirely by Verizon. Apparently, the value of the assets was not attractive enough to attract interest from any competing telecommunication company so Verizon has to provide the financing to make the sale possible. The question/concern is; can the company, Fairpoint, make the investment in upgrading the infrastructure, which has been ignored by Verizon for several years and service the debt they assume by purchasing the assets without having to request significant rate increases from the public regulators in all three states. Additionally, having to manage a unionized workforce of which they have no experience. An additional fact, to consider by the regulatory agencies, is Verizon chose to neglect it regulatory responsibility to upgrade the infrastructure in Vermont and was required to pay an 8 million dollar fine.
The second issue, the sale of RCC to Verizon Wireless, is of concern because it would create a monopoly and based upon the company’s past behavior with its wired assets the legitimate concerns by consumers are valid as RCC has the best cell coverage in northern New England with its GSM network, the competitors service is basically limited to the Interstate corridor.
Regarding the comments about the quantity of service and competition due to the lack of profitability I cite the example of Waitsfield / Champlain Valley Telecom whose service area consists primarily of rural areas of Central Vermont and is able to provide DSL service to 100% of it service area. A feat that Verizon has not been able, or unwilling to provide. Apparently they would rather pay an 8 million dollar fine to the State of Vermont than invest in its infrastructure and make their assets more attractive to a potential buyer. |
