Verizon Pledges Copper Repairs, More Fiber to End New York PSC Probe

the Public Utility Law Project joined Verizon in the joint plan, while Syracuse and the New York State Department’s Utility Intervention Unit were neutral, said a Friday letter to the PSC in case 16-C-0122. Verizon pledged fiber for 10,000 to 12,000 homes and businesses on Long Island and in upstate New York. If Verizon wins grants in New York's state broadband subsidy auction, the carrier would bring fiber to more households than required -- between 14,000 and 20,500 additional households, the proposal said. Over two years, Verizon will replace copper with fiber in 100 copper-fed building locations in New York City where technicians visit frequently, it said. The carrier will remediate copper plant in 54 central office entities that have been failing to meet performance standards, it said. Also, Verizon committed to a “Plant Pride Program” that will let technicians submit reports of plant conditions needing maintenance through Verizon’s National Operations Quality Inspection system. Verizon would review submissions and within 90 days resolve at least 75 percent of them, the proposal said. The program would last four years or until Verizon completes other commitments. Verizon said it would check and, if necessary, replace batteries providing backup power to hospitals, public safety and other critical customers. And it will remedy 64,000 double pole conditions over four years, it said. "The joint proposal will be reviewed to ensure it meets the Commission’s directives to parties to identify solutions to improve Verizon’s service quality," a New York PSC spokesman emailed. "The Commission will seek public comment on the proposal. A decision is expected mid-2018."