Press Release

PUC Approves $5,000 Fine for Verizon North after Customer Complaint

Published on 12/3/2009

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued a civil penalty against Verizon North Inc. for $5,000 after a consumer filed a complaint over billing and service adequacy issues.

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve a motion by Commission Wayne E. Gardner to impose a civil penalty of $5,000, which cannot be recovered from ratepayers. The company also must credit the customer’s account for repair charges and telephone service charges applied to the customer’s account while the customer was without service.

On March 5, 2009, Robert Miller of Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, filed a complaint with the PUC alleging billing issues and some long-standing service problems. After an underground service line failed in 2006, Verizon North installed a temporary above ground line but never returned to replace and bury the line. In February 2008, the temporary above ground line failed.

In presenting his complaint before the Commission, Miller provided various documents indicating numerous continuing service problems with the temporary line and contended that Verizon North never adequately explained why it would not replace the underground line. Miller’s complaint also stated that he was without of service continuously since December 15, 2008, and was being charged by Verizon North for prior service calls and telephone service that he is not receiving. 

The Commission also ordered the company to take all necessary measures to restore dial tone service at Miller’s house and shall make any temporary measures permanent, through trenching and replacement of the underground service line and surface restoration.

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 website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket Nos. C-2009-2094937

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