Press Release

PUC Seeks Comments on Proposed Settlement with Verizon Pennsylvania Relating to Improper Service Suspensions and Terminations

Published on 3/10/2022

Filed under: Telecommunications

Proposed Settlement Revises Verizon’s Customer Notification Procedures Related to Service Suspensions & Terminations and Assesses Civil Penalty

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued for comment a proposed settlement between Verizon Pennsylvania LLC (Verizon PA) and the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement (I&E), following I&E’s informal investigation into alleged improper telephone service suspension and terminations by the company, including alleged service terminations without providing proper customer notifications.

The Commission voted 3-0 to issue for comment the proposed settlement agreement between Verizon PA and I&E – which began an informal investigation based upon multiple informal complaints received by the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services (BCS) alleging the following violations by the company between March 13, 2020, and March 24, 2021:

• Verizon PA improperly suspended telephone service for bill nonpayment and during the company’s ongoing retirement of copper wire and installation of fiber optics during this time period – all of which occurred during the Commission’s termination moratorium on utility services under PUC jurisdiction (Docket No. M-2020-3019244).
  
  
• Verizon PA improperly suspended or terminated service to certain customers without proper notice, in violation of the Public Utility Code.

Under the conditions of the settlement, Verizon PA agrees to the following:

• The company will continue to work with I&E and BCS to modify/edit its suspension and termination notification letters, as future circumstances require, relating to the retirement of copper wire and installation of fiber optics.
  
  
• The company will pay a civil penalty of $30,000 – with the civil penalty not tax deductible or able to be passed through as an additional charge to Verizon PA’s customers in Pennsylvania.

Interested parties may submit written comments, via the Commission’s electronic filing system, within 25 days of publication of this Opinion and Order in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.  An e-file account may be opened free of charge and used through the Commission’s website.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket No.:  M-2022-3024130

Contact:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov