Verizon Could Face Fines For DSL, Landline Neglect Focus on FiOS coming with serious uptick in traditional user complaints The last few years have seen a growing number of allegations that the telco is neglecting their DSL & landline infrastructure to focus on getting into the more lucrative TV business (aka FiOS). Union workers say they aren't getting the tools and resources they need to support DSL & landline customers effectively. A lack of resources have resulted in documented spike in customer complaints, according to PUCs in a number of States. Union workers have told me directly that ideas like preventative maintenance have been all but abandoned in many rural markets. Last month, Florida's largest union picketed several Verizon offices. Now Florida's Attorney General Bill McCollum is trying to fine Verizon $6.5 million dollars. According to Florida law, Verizon must repair all residential phone problems within 24 hours, but McCollum says Verizon is consistently failing to repair service in time. Verizon downplays the problem. The company released a statement saying it provided "great phone service" and was investing millions of dollars in its network. "We will be making a strong case to the commission that no new investigation is needed, and that the allegations in today's filing do not in any way justify the punitive fines suggested," the company said in a statement. I'm thinking $6.5 million isn't going to be a big deal for a company that just scored a $679 million contract with the Department of Homeland Security. Verizon spent nearly $4 million on lobbying in the first three months of 2008 alone.
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  TechnogeezAgape in amazement.Premium
join:2007-01-20 | A sense of perspective, please Don't put too much faith in grandstanding politicians. The number of complaints doesn't seem to justify such a grandiose amount.
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Read your contract and TOS before signing anything. | |
|  | | | Re: A sense of perspective, please said by Technogeez:Don't put too much faith in grandstanding politicians. The number of complaints doesn't seem to justify such a grandiose amount. Ask BellSouth about the millions in fines they pay yearly (probably more now AT&T) due to CLECs getting stuff fixed first by law. Florida PSC complaints can generate the wrath of the State. Florida does have strong consumer protection laws except in Insurance (now that Crist is Gov not Insurance Commish). Crist wouldn't have let Allstate abandon the state on homeowners. State Farm is now pulling it too. They are canceling "wind, rain etc." on my homeowners insurance. What the hell is it good for now? Also, ask the gas station(s) here that went bankrupt price gouging on gas; one literally was torn down after supposedly a $1 million fine. They fine by the receipt ($2,000 each).
If you file a PSC complaint against a phone company or utility, they have to call you within 24 hours till they get you. Even a stupid complaint like, "he/she was mean", goes through.
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Saving the world keeps me busy. However, I find Earth very primitive from my home planet of Krypton.
-Supergirl | |
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 MattAll noise, no signal.Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
kudos:12 | Simple Math Well, it should be, but it is Verizon we're talking about. 
Anyway, it's simple. Verizon will decide which costs less, fixing the issue ... or paying the fine. | |
| | | | Re: Simple Math said by Matt:Well, it should be, but it is Verizon we're talking about. Anyway, it's simple. Verizon will decide which costs less, fixing the issue ... or paying the fine. that fine can go a lot higher if some needs 911 and can't use it when there phone line brakes. | |
| | | MattAll noise, no signal.Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
kudos:12 | Re: Simple Math said by Joe12345678:said by Matt:Well, it should be, but it is Verizon we're talking about. Anyway, it's simple. Verizon will decide which costs less, fixing the issue ... or paying the fine. that fine can go a lot higher if some needs 911 and can't use it when there phone line brakes. Why would you want your phone line to stop? | |
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approval from:
NyQuil Kid 
| said by Joe12345678:said by Matt:Well, it should be, but it is Verizon we're talking about. Anyway, it's simple. Verizon will decide which costs less, fixing the issue ... or paying the fine. that fine can go a lot higher if some needs 911 and can't use it when there phone line brakes. Please come back when you have learned to spell. I guess I shouldn't expect more from a union thug. | |
| | | | patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
kudos:1 | Re: Simple Math said by anonRP :said by Joe12345678:said by Matt:Well, it should be, but it is Verizon we're talking about. Anyway, it's simple. Verizon will decide which costs less, fixing the issue ... or paying the fine. that fine can go a lot higher if some needs 911 and can't use it when there phone line brakes. Please come back when you have learned to spell. I guess I shouldn't expect more from a union thug. | |
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 ArchivisYour DaddyPremium
join:2001-11-26
Earth
kudos:17 | That old dude is funny. lol @ protesting about Internet Services.
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I melt faces. | |
| |  BabyBearKeep wise ...with Nite-Owl
join:2007-01-11 | Re: That old dude is funny. said by Archivis:lol @ protesting about Internet Services. His sign probably refers to reg. telephone service. Since correct me if I'm wrong IBEW is the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which the 'old time' phone service people are members of?
But if honking could problems we'd be all set.  | |
| | | | | Re: That old dude is funny. Actually depends on where in the country you are. I believe that IBEW is more prevalent in the NE and upper MW, such as Chicago. Here in Texas it is primary the CWA (Communications Workers of America.) | |
| | | |  Samus82Radly
join:2002-01-29
Alsip, IL | Re: That old dude is funny. I am an IBEW member. I work for ATT... But i do believe here in Illinois we are the only ones that are. The rest everywhere else is CWA. | |
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| | Will this suit really change anything This telco has been patching cooper plant for years. Selling off land line territory as well. They want out of the POTS business. Wireless and Data are the focus. Lawsuits wont change that. | |
| | | Can you hear me no Can you hear me now? Can you hear me now? Hello?
cut commercial I lost him. | |
| | | I'd rather the money be spent on FIOS deployment Verizon, just needs to push the FIOS deployment even harder.
An community that Verizon offers FIOS to that will not get out of the way (aka stupid franchise agreement crap, which it seems like the only real sticking point is support of public access TV, screw public access) and let it be deployed deserves an ailing infrastructure.
Communities that Verizon has not targeted with FIOS yet, they should continue to support the infrastructure. The minute FIOS is available, or is offered to the town/city...I say get out of the way out with the old in with the new, just make sure 911 keeps working during the transition. | |
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