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UPDATE 2/04/01

A.  Latest on Lawsuits
 
The first small battle took place recently in New York when Verizon tried to have the first of three class actions dismissed.  Their arguement was that the stipulations in the contract agreement should protect them against this type of legal action. 
 
Well, the public doesn't buy it and neither did the judge.  After denying the request, Verizon has decided to appeal it.  The good news is that typically, most appeals fail. 
 
As mentioned previously, this process is very slow, however it is an auspicious beginning. 
 
 
B.  Wireless Issue
 
In yet another display of hubris, Verizon decided to try and get away with quite the scheme involving their wireless service to New England customers.
 
Even though customers had signed 2 year contracts that stated their peak/off-peak phone times, Verizon recently tried to change it by pushing peak times from 8pm to 9pm.  Their arguement?  "We looked at our billing system and we found it wasn't able to support peak and off-peak times for different people.''  Funny how that system has functioned just fine up until now!  My question to them would also be, why not bring all the off-peak times down to 8pm?  Just wouldn't want to give back to the customer, now would we?
 
The contract stipulates that if Verizon makes a change in the terms of the contract that adversely affect a customer, the customer may terminate the contract without a termination fee.  The most amazing part is that they would not honor this, and instead decided to only allow those who could prove that the change would adversely them could terminate their agreement.  Will wonders never cease, I ask you?  Take a look at a response (from Verizon) after a consumer tried to cancel their service.  Read it straight through and you'll be shaking your head just like me:
 
Needless to say there was quite the backlash as both customers and legal entities pursued the matter, forcing Verizon to back down on this.  Funny how in light of all this pressure, their billing system is now able to handle the difference between peak/off-peak rates!  You can read both chapters here:
 
 
C.  Changes to Verizonpathetic.com
 
If you have visited the website recently, you will notice a few changes to the site.  Before, most of the links were associated with the Bell Atlantic portion of what is now Verizon.  Currently it refers only to Verizon.  The site can also be accessed via both http://www.bellatlanticpathetic.com and http://www.verizonpathetic.com
 
D.  Anti-Trust Action
 
Now that phase one is complete (educating consumers, class action suits initated, etc.), phase two is being put into motion.  Even if all three suits were to be successful, this would not necessarily mean more choices for consumers or improved service. 
 
Competitors have voiced their frustration at losing customers due to Verizon's ineptness and excessive delays in converting new accounts.  Some have not been able to remain in business, citing Verizon as a major obstacle.  Therefore, a new link to verizonpathetic.com is, "Can you say MONOPOLY".  This link has been made in an effort to gather together telecom's who have faced VZ's discriminatory practices.  Please pass this information on to your own ISP.  Like the consumers who have banded together here and are making an impact, smaller telecom's will now get their chance.
 
E.  Massachusetts Long Distance
 
In Massachusetts, Verizon has been trying in vain to offer long distance service.  To do so, they must first satisfy various criteria to the FCC including that there is local competition in the DSL market.  After one failed attempt, they plan on going for it again.  In light of their latest escapades, it looks as if it will end up being yet another embarassing moment for them.  Verizonpathetic.com obtained a copy of a press release that was issued to The Boston Herald regarding the situation.  It makes for some interesting reading...