CWA Petitions Maryland PSC To Investigate Verizon Service Quality

photos that the union said show deteriorating phone equipment that CWA believes threaten service quality. Before sending Monday's letter, CWA said it examined Verizon’s equipment in areas of the state where the telco hasn't built FiOS and offers service only through traditional copper wiring. The investigation found poles that are damaged, unsecured and broken, damaged and exposed cable and splice terminals, bypassed damaged cable, and equipment that shows evidence of damage caused by animals, the union said: "Verizon’s systemic underinvestment in its traditional landline network violates the terms of the alternative form of regulation that the company is currently operating under." Maryland law allows Verizon to operate under alternative regulation only if the commission finds that it protects consumers by "producing affordable and reasonably priced basic service and by ensuring the quality, availability and reliability of telecommunications services throughout Maryland," CWA said. The filing is an "agenda-driven attempt by the union to try and divert attention from our on-going contract negotiations," said a Verizon spokesman. "Union leaders have an ill-advised pattern of creating campaigns filled with mischaracterizations and inaccurate statements." If there are problems with the network, Verizon will look into them, the spokesman said. Instead of trying to force Verizon to hire more union employees, CWA should work with the company on a new contract that's good for employees and fair to customers, he said.