Fairpoint, a small North Carolina telecommunications company, wants to buy Verizon's business in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. By almost all accounts, they have nowhere near enough money to do it. Here's are some interesting articles from Fosters.com (Fosters Daily Democrat) and The Phoenix, a Maine newspaper. Exclusive: No raises for seven years - News - The PhoenixUpdate: May 2008 - Fairpoint is in. Verizon is out - now we're just watching to see what happens.
1 comment:
Mr Webb,
Thank you for your letter concerning the sale of Verizons assets in NH. I agree with you, I too switched to Verizon with the promise of a bundled service. In fact I was working (2005 & 6) with the town of Derry and Verizon to bring FIOS on line with TV to the local area (Derry, Salem, Windham)
when they suddenly pulled out of discussions and dropped the issue completely with the poor excuse that it was to difficult to deal with all the local officials. This regardless that most communities already have long term contracts with cable companies.
I will be a co-sponsor to a Senate Resolution to the PUC opposing the sale. I also was one of two Senators to speak in opposition to the sale at the PUC hearings last month.
I wrote a small message on the Union Leader site this morning with a similar message.
I have spent all summer looking at the pros and cons of this sale and have come to the conclusion that it is not in the best interest of the consumers of the state of NH.
1) Fair Point does not have the financial assets to sustain this purchase (will lead to higher cost for consumers)
2) Fair Point does not intend to pursue FIOS or any fiber optic solution
3) Fair Point only will expand DSL. This is a older (wire) technology, cable will blow this away.
4) Fair Point will not offer TV service, This is a dream for the cable companies, no competition.
5) Fair Point is being disingenuous on the employment opportunities for northern New England, They are actually going to reduce the workforce, This will lead to poor service and the loss of Jobs for NH workers, this is unacceptable.
6) Verizon has made profits here in NH and now wants to get out of town without upgrading the system. They used profits from NE to up grade elsewhere.
7) Verizon owes NH Companies huge amounts of money.
8) Verizon has over 7000 "double" poles in NH. We were told in the Senate committee that this was not a problem and that they were reducing the number every year. Now we find this is false.
Access to affordable high speed internet is critical to our economy our educational opportunities and to the business world, many that testified at the PUC hearings...
Last but certainly not least nobody has explained to me what will happen to existing FIOS customers...
As you can see I do have this issue on my agenda ands will do what I can as your representative to assure that NH (us) recieves the best deal in the interest of our state.
Thank you for your thoughts on this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Senator Bob Letourneau
District 19
Derry, Hampstead, Windham
Subject: Speak Out Against the Sale of Verizon to Fairpoint
Senator Robert Letourneau
State House
107 North Main Street, Suite 101-B
Concord, NH 03301-4951
Dear Senator Letourneau,
Please Act before it is too late.I have FIOS now and I think
Everyone in Our state should beable to have it. Dont let the
Sale of Verizon Push Nh back 15 years in technology.and we will
pay more in long run it is not good for Our People.
Jim Webb
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