said by Libra:said by birdfeedr: We've improved their battery backup for longer-term peace of mind, so now they have the best of both worlds. An external battery and cable to plug into the Auxiliary power jack on the BBU works for them.
We're not technically inclined. Would we be able to do what you describe or would Verizon do it for us?
Maybe not, but you've given me an idea or two. Stay tuned.
said by Libra:I don't understand what regulated POTS is over fiber wires.
POTS is an acronym for Plain Old Telephone Service.
Freedom Essentials is one package that includes local and long distance, but that one and the Lifeline service and all of the legacy phone services (and there are quite a few different plans) are all regulated by state and federal government. These services used to be delivered over copper wires. VZ has to get permission to raise rates on regulated services, and they are taxed differently. There are other regulated conditions they need to meet including time to repair.
I'm not sure about other states, but Verizon Communications (or similar) provides the regulated service and Verizon Online provides the data service. Billing services from the two companies can get very complex and is part of the reason VZ is working very hard to get everyone who has a Verizon Online service off of Verizon Communications services. They are not renewing Freedom Essentials (regulated), and are forcing bundle renewals over to Digital Voice (unregulated). That's the end result of only offering Digital Voice.
I do not believe they can force an existing subscriber on a pre-Freedom Essentials plan off of it. An example is my two friends, and the residential measured service we're still on at the home/office I referred to earlier.
But if I just moved into town from Nebraska, and called up to get only telephone service, I think I'd have to pull out all the stops to get a regulated telephone plan. I'm sure I would be offered only Digital Voice, unless I were to specifically request a lifeline or measured service tariff. There are still legacy copper wires available on my street, and I'm sure Verizon Communications would deliver measured service to me on copper.
Whether it's delivered over copper or fiber is distinct from whether it is regulated or not.
Hope this explanation helps.
said by My April Bill :Service Providers
Verizon RI provides regional, local calling and related features, other voice services, and FiOS TV service, unless otherwise indicated. Verizon Long Distance provides long distance calling and other services identified by "VLD" in the applicable billed line item. Verizon Online provides Internet service, HMC service and FiOS TV equipment.
I don't know yet what my new bill will show, I've been switched to Digital Voice. TV will still be regulated and will still be provided by Verizon RI.