Press Release

PUC Releases Results, Implementation Plan on Outstanding Issues from Previous Verizon Audit

Published on 2/5/2009

Filed under: Telecommunications

Harrisburg - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today released a joint report that resolves several issues remaining from a September 2008 independent audit of the Verizon Pennsylvania Inc.'s Chapter 30 Network Modernization Plan (NMP).

The Commission voted 5-0 to release the Joint Report containing agreements between Commission staff and Verizon establishing reporting benchmarks for measuring Verizon's performance on network modernization until 2012.  At that time, the Commission staff and Verizon will reconvene to establish benchmarks for the Company's future biennial updates on the Company's NMP.    

The Joint Report also resolved additional issues including:

• Creating a method to assess Verizon’s spare fiber capacity used to timely provision customer requests in the future through provisioning performance benchmarks;
• Establishing reporting and provisioning commitment benchmarks for broadband DSL, FiOS, and 45 Mbps broadband facilities and services deployment;
• Mechanizing the DSL and FiOS facilities deployment counting process to provide a more accurate reporting of broadband availability;
• Continuing to use access lines to calculate broadband availability; and
• More clearly defining reporting requirements and reported results.

The September 2008 audit found that Verizon has met most of its NMP broadband deployment commitments and is generally compliant with the Commission's reporting guidelines as indicated in Verizon's sixth biennial report.  The report included 23 recommendations.  Verizon agreed with 14 of the recommendations, agreed in part with two and disagreed with seven.  The PUC directed the Company and Commission Staff to convene a workshop to address the remaining unresolved recommendations and issues. 

Verizon has committed to ensure 100 percent high-speed broadband availability within its service territory by 2015.  The purpose of the September 2008 audit was to provide a comprehensive review to determine whether the Verizon PA sixth biennial update on its high-speed broadband deployment is accurate and if the Company is complying with other biennial update reporting rules required under state law. 

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

# # #

Docket No. D-2008-2056921

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722