Rate Counsel, a New Jersey-based consumer advocacy group, is fighting to halt Verizon Communications’ push to move away from copper wireline phone services. They want the telecom giant to stop disconnecting customers from the service until regulators can finish an investigation into the practice.
In two separate filings with the New Jersey State Board of Public Utilities, the group raised concerns about big carriers switching their customers from decades-old copper wirelines to fiber optic networks.
“The board should take a look at what’s going on,” Rate Counsel Director Stefanie Brand said, referring to the BPU. “We want to make it clear to the BPU that they have the authority in making sure the transition occurs in an orderly manner.’’
Brand said customers in 10 counties filed complaints earlier this summer requesting an investigation into Verizon’s handling of the transition.
For its part, Verizon says it is working hard to communicate with its customers about the transition. Spokesperson, Lee Gierczynski said the company has received 17 complaints from customers about the practice.
“Overall, Verizon has received less than one complaint per 100 customers, so the rate counsel’s claim is much ado about nothing,” Gierczynski said, adding customers are getting the same rates, terms, and conditions with the new fiber optic network that they had with the copper lines and that customers are actually receiving a “more robust and reliable service.”
In the filing, Brand argues that the practices are not in compliance with new Federal Communications Commission requirements. She also said Verizon is not adequately communicating its plans to customers.
In May, the New Jersey BPU unanimously voted to exempt Verizon Communications from state regulations that apply to wired, landline telephone service. The vote removed price regulation for home telephone service, businesses with single-line service, charges for residential connection and directory assistance.
