Fair for FairPoint
By BDN Staff | July 10, 2009
The intersection of private enterprise and public service is often problematic and messy, but the troubles that FairPoint Communications has encountered since taking over land-based telephone service in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont should not weaken the resolve of regulators to protect consumer interests. ...The BDN makes the observation that there is no case for a wavier of fines for poor service, because "as far as is now known, a lack of staffing, planning and customer service response seems to be at fault."
FairPoint's relief shouldn't cost its customers
July 9, 2009
The news that FairPoint Communications has asked Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire regulators to waive almost $3 million in fines for poor service adds to the uneasy feeling that the company simply isn't up to the task of providing phone and internet service to millions of New Englanders. While FairPoint has asked for the waiver in order to strengthen its finances, the desperate request is more likely to lead to the conclusion that the company is edging toward disaster. ...Short version: there is no reason to penalize customers because FairPoint tells the funny joke that its issues were "unprecedented and unforeseen." No disagreement here.
This is the key fact--FairPoint was unprepared to service its customers, contrary to its solemn promises during regulatory hearings prior to the sale.
Posted by The Owl at 23:22. Filed under: Labor and business
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