State Accuses Verizon Of 'Willful' Service Lapses, Seeks Fines

Type A · 05-17-2008, 04:39 PM

Hope this doesnt delay rolling out fios in my area...though Im not even on the schedule as of yet, lawsuits probably wont help:

"TAMPA - Verizon Communications Inc. could pay a heavy price for what state regulators call subpar telephone service in the Tampa Bay area.

Florida's top law enforcement official Thursday called for $6.5 million in fines against Verizon for what he called "willful" and "repeated" lapses in Verizon's telephone service.

The probe could expand. Florida's attorney general, other state officials and AARP on Tuesday called for an ongoing Public Service Commission investigation into service quality that they say has fallen to levels not seen since 2001 when the company faced millions in penalties.

"This is a grave concern for us, and not only from the standpoint of customers getting what they paid for," said Florida Public Counsel J.R. Kelly, whose agency represents Florida utility customers. "There are a great number of residents who do not rely on cell phones, but rely heavily on that land line." If they dial 911, he said, the phone has to work.

Verizon southeastern regional president Alan Ciamporcero said the company 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 probe was sparked in part by a series of Tampa Tribune investigations this spring into Verizon's service quality that detailed tangled customer bills, long waits for repairs and employees picketing company sites over what they call poor service provided to customers.

The stakes are high for Verizon amid the probe. Verizon is now in fierce competition with cable and satellite TV companies for every customer in the Tampa Bay area, and will spend about $1 billion in the Bay area to build a state-of-the-art fiber optic network for combined cable TV, phone and Internet service. The Tampa Bay area is among the first two U.S. markets to receive the service.

Meanwhile, regulators in several other states have started pressuring Verizon over service quality, including Maryland, New York and Maine.

"Reliable and available telephone service can be critical to consumers during emergencies," said Mike Twomey, an AARP attorney. "Verizon should obey the rules or be penalized for its failure to comply."

Verizon Wanted Exemption

Florida tightly regulates telephone company service, in part to ensure that residents have basic communications and can call 911 in an emergency. The Florida Public Service Commission has authority to regulate many aspects of telephone service, but not cable TV or Internet service...."

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/may...ions-in-fines/

ITALIAN926 · 05-17-2008, 08:59 PM

Do you know what a 6.5million dollar fine does to a company that takes in 60billion a year ???

NOTHIN... you have nothing to worry about.

monjul · 05-19-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITALIAN926

Do you know what a 6.5million dollar fine does to a company that takes in 60billion a year ???

NOTHIN... you have nothing to worry about.

LOL. True. "6.5 mill? Hey, you got change for a billion dollar bill?"

05-17-2008, 04:39 PM	#1
Type A 1080 Optical Supporter Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Panama City, Fl Age: 38 Posts: 2,724	State Accuses Verizon Of 'Willful' Service Lapses, Seeks Fines Hope this doesnt delay rolling out fios in my area...though Im not even on the schedule as of yet, lawsuits probably wont help: "TAMPA - Verizon Communications Inc. could pay a heavy price for what state regulators call subpar telephone service in the Tampa Bay area. Florida's top law enforcement official Thursday called for $6.5 million in fines against Verizon for what he called "willful" and "repeated" lapses in Verizon's telephone service. The probe could expand. Florida's attorney general, other state officials and AARP on Tuesday called for an ongoing Public Service Commission investigation into service quality that they say has fallen to levels not seen since 2001 when the company faced millions in penalties. "This is a grave concern for us, and not only from the standpoint of customers getting what they paid for," said Florida Public Counsel J.R. Kelly, whose agency represents Florida utility customers. "There are a great number of residents who do not rely on cell phones, but rely heavily on that land line." If they dial 911, he said, the phone has to work. Verizon southeastern regional president Alan Ciamporcero said the company 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 probe was sparked in part by a series of Tampa Tribune investigations this spring into Verizon's service quality that detailed tangled customer bills, long waits for repairs and employees picketing company sites over what they call poor service provided to customers. The stakes are high for Verizon amid the probe. Verizon is now in fierce competition with cable and satellite TV companies for every customer in the Tampa Bay area, and will spend about $1 billion in the Bay area to build a state-of-the-art fiber optic network for combined cable TV, phone and Internet service. The Tampa Bay area is among the first two U.S. markets to receive the service. Meanwhile, regulators in several other states have started pressuring Verizon over service quality, including Maryland, New York and Maine. "Reliable and available telephone service can be critical to consumers during emergencies," said Mike Twomey, an AARP attorney. "Verizon should obey the rules or be penalized for its failure to comply." Verizon Wanted Exemption Florida tightly regulates telephone company service, in part to ensure that residents have basic communications and can call 911 in an emergency. The Florida Public Service Commission has authority to regulate many aspects of telephone service, but not cable TV or Internet service...." http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/may...ions-in-fines/ __________________ Mitsubishi HC3000U HD projector Dual Optoma 106" screens Harman Kardon AVR-7000 receiver Bose 901 VI, 301 IV, VCS 10 Bose AM-6 Series III Sony STR-DG600 receiver JVC GR-HD1 HD camcorder Xbox 360 Pro / PS3 40 Gig HD DVD 0 / Blu Ray 15 Games 18 / Games 2 Gateway 901x HTPC (modified) Sling Box Pro w/HD Connect Cable Dish 211 receiver w/Absolute HD pack HP Pavilion dv-6000 laptop (HTPC2GO) Link-Theater Gallery - 100,000+ views Link-55 Restoration Updated 6/21/08

05-17-2008, 08:59 PM	#2
ITALIAN926 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 589	Do you know what a 6.5million dollar fine does to a company that takes in 60billion a year ??? NOTHIN... you have nothing to worry about. __________________ Proud owner of a 60" plasma and ~1500 DVD's Pio PDP-6010FD , Panny TH-42PX77U, Toshiba HD DVD Player (HD-A20) Xbox 360 Verizon FiOS technician My Family Room Pic #1 My Family Room Pic #2

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