DATELINE FAIRPOINT: June 8, 2010
Dear Reporters and Editors,
Here’s the latest news from the FairPoint front:
Let’s level the playing field: The Public Service Board held three days of hearings last month as it considers approval of FairPoint’s financial restructuring in Vermont. FairPoint and the Department of Public Service negotiated the settlement earlier this year and the Board’s approval will allow FairPoint to continue to move forward with plans to emerge from Chapter 11 reorganization in the early fall. The Maine and New Hampshire Public Utility Commissions also held similar hearings.
FairPoint should emerge from Chapter 11 as a financially viable and more competitive player in this ever-changing and dynamic industry. However, the industry and the state of Vermont must begin to rethink how to regulate telecommunications so that all providers compete fairly.
Traditionally, regulation was established because at one time there was no or limited competition. Clearly, today, the telecommunications landscape is highly competitive with opportunities to purchase phone service from many providers and technologies (a multitude of wireline and cellular providers, cable providers or voice over the Internet (VoIP) providers). Where there are multiple providers of phone services – and that’s becoming increasingly common in Vermont – FairPoint should be allowed to follow the same requirements as others, not be regulated to a competitive disadvantage.
Likewise, where FairPoint is the only provider, it is appropriate to be regulated as such.
Service quality rebounds: FairPoint’s service quality scores have rebounded sharply and we’re now meeting or exceeding 17 out of 18 customer service areas measured by the state. These are challenging targets that FairPoint must meet as part of our current regulatory plan. We’re proud of the great strides made in delivering quality customer service – it’s expected and Vermonters deserve excellent customer service.
We understand the responsibility of providing excellent service but FairPoint’s state-mandated standards are much higher than other Vermont telephone companies. And cable, wireless and many landline providers don’t have to report at all. Our goal is to be placed on a level playing field with other telecommunications companies in Vermont.
Bring on the broadband: While everybody’s talking about broadband availability, FairPoint is actually doing something about it! We just added high-speed Internet to more homes and businesses in Peru, Waterford, Stockbridge and Marlboro. Since 2008, FairPoint has added high-speed Internet to more than 43,000 customer lines – that’s more than all other providers combined. Talk about going the last mile! FairPoint’s doing it.
Sabina Haskell, Corporate Communications
FairPoint Communications |800 Hinesburg Road, South Burlington, VT 05403 | shaskell@fairpoint.com
802.658.7351 office| 802.735.4834 cell |fax 802.864.1531
