We have submitted a comment letter to the FCC concerning Verizon’s application to discontinue copper-based landline telephone service (Plain Old Telephone Service, or POTS) in the State of New York.

As we state in our letter, we strongly oppose the premature discontinuance of POTS landline service, both at our residence in the Town of Neversink in Sullivan County, and elsewhere in the State of New York. As the letter concludes:

• Verizon should be required to engage in a serious public dialogue with the State of New York, its Public Service Commission, local governments and members of the public about what reasonable alternative telephone service at a reasonable cost looks like, before being allowed to discontinue POTS landline service in the State of New York.
• Verizon should be required to clearly establish the availability of reasonable alternative service at a reasonable cost for each landline customer, before it is permitted to discontinue POTS landline service to that customer.
• Verizon should be required to subsidize the cost of establishing and maintaining alternative service connections as needed to achieve a reasonable cost to its landline customers.

We believe it is urgent for our elected officials to take immediate action to protect New York State landline customers against the imminent threat of premature loss of an essential service.

David Brittenham and Carolyn Summers
Town of Neversink, NY