CWA challenges Verizon?s NJ franchise

Verizon is seeking a renewal of its statewide cable franchise. Recently, though, CWA District 1 filed a written objection with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), raising the question of whether Verizon has met its franchise obligations, and whether the company deserved renewal.

In the letter to the secretary of the BPU, District 1 Legislative and Political Director Bob Master points out a number of questionable Verizon tactics. For instance, many New Jersey residents are unaware that Verizon has asked for waivers from its obligation to provide FiOS to apartment buildings. As the letter states:

“To date, Verizon has sought waivers from deployment that would affect thousands of multiple dwelling unit residences affecting tens of thousands of customers. While these waiver requests invoke various rationales as justification, we are concerned that far too many New Jersey residents will face monopoly service offerings if all of these waivers are granted.”

In addition, Verizon has stated its intention to eliminate copper wire and, in sparsely-populated areas, substitute inferior wireless Voice Link service. As Master writes:

“Voice Link is an inferior product that lacks data capacity and thus cannot provide home alarm or medical alert services, fax services, internet access or services for the deaf.  Its 911 service is not 100% reliable, and customers have complained of repeated dropped calls and missed connections.”

District 1 urges the BPU to refrain from automatically renewing Verizon’s franchise until these and several other problems are investigated and the company gives assurances to treat all New Jersey residents equally.

Letter to NJ BPU (CWA District 1, Oct. 30, 2013)

Verizon balks at extending New Jersey FiOS (Speed Matters, Oct. 9, 2013)