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Verizon Visits Capitol To Offer Reassurance

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By RICHARD MULLINS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 4, 2008

TAMPA - Executives at Verizon Communications have toured Tallahassee government offices in the past few days to explain issues the company is having with customer service.

According to state officials, Verizon officials went to the Capitol to make a case that they are aware of issues with their FiOS cable TV-phone-Internet service, and they're working on them.

"They have assured us they are making every effort to address consumers' complaints," said Sandi Copes, spokeswoman for the state attorney general's office, where Verizon officials went late this week. "We'll keep an eye on the issue, but we appreciate the fact they reached out to us and appear to be working to resolve the issues at the heart of the complaints."

Among problems consumers are reporting: shortages of the free HDTVs that Verizon promised for new customers, shortages of HDTV set-top boxes, and pricing for the company's services, which customers say didn't match advertised offers.

Verizon's contingent included Alan Ciamporcero, president of Verizon's southeast region, Woody Simmons, vice president of government affairs and other Verizon lawyers.

Verizon officials also met with the Florida Public Service Commission, which regulates traditional phone service in the state, and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, which has some oversight of cable television and other consumer products.

Verizon's Tallahassee effort comes as some pressure is building on the company. Along with customers, Verizon's largest labor union plans to picket company facilities starting about 7 a.m. Monday over the issue of customer service. And Tampa has officially asked Verizon officials to go before the city council May 1 to address customer service issues.

Reporter Richard Mullins can be reached at (813) 259-7919 or rmullins@tampatrib.com.

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