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Regulators Want To Fine Verizon Millions

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By RICHARD MULLINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 4, 2008

TAMPA - Florida state regulators Thursday called for several million dollars in fines against Verizon Communications Inc. for what they call "willful" lapses in basic telephone service quality.

The move stems from a request earlier this year from the state attorney general, Florida's public counsel and the AARP to fine Verizon $6.55 million for what they called sub par phone service.

Unlike Verizon's new fiber optic service, this issue relates to Verizon's traditional, land-line telephone service that runs on copper wires — a service that the state closely regulates for safety and health purposes.

Thursday, staff of the state's Public Service Commission issued a document that detailed 262 instances in which Verizon's telephone service for a region fell below the state's standards during 2007 and 194 times during 2008. In total, they suggested $4.56 million in fines. Next, the recommendations go to PSC officials for review.

Michelle Robinson, Verizon's southeastern regional president, said in response, "There is absolutely no need for the commission to expend the time and resources required to formally investigate Verizon's customer service quality for telephone operations — particularly at a time when the commission is considering changes to the very rules that Verizon allegedly violated."

She added, "Verizon provides solid phone service in Florida's most competitive telecom market, where consumers reward the best providers with their business."

Reporter Richard Mullins can be reached at (813) 259-7919.

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