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June 19, 2009

FairPoint throws a counter punch

By The Mainebiz News Staff

FairPoint is responding to a legal threat from the Maine Public Advocates Office with a complaint of its own.

In a letter addressed to the PAO, FairPoint refutes the agency's allegations that it is not living up to promises to offer cheap Internet service made before the North Carolina-based telecommunications company bought Verizon's landlines in northern New England last year. Earlier this month, the PAO sent a letter to the Public Utilities Commission announcing its intent to file a formal complaint against FairPoint.

In a written response, Audrey Prior, FairPoint's vice president of government relations, admonishes the PAO for butting its nose into FairPoint's marketing strategy. "While FairPoint does appreciate the Public Advocate's indicated concern for the state of our business, decisions on what to advertise, publicize and promote are ultimately a part of doing business, and those decisions must be ours to make," states the letter. Download FairPoint's letter as a Word document.

Among the bones of contention are cheap Internet subscription rates that FairPoint offers and customers are eligible for, but chooses not to promote.

Reader comments

From Paul Mattson (Fri 6/19/2009 2:25 PM)

Had we known of the lower rates we may have stuck with all the problems a little longer.

We asked and they were never offered.

From Louise (Fri 6/19/2009 6:39 PM)

Leave Fairpoint alone. My long term cable company, Time Warner, just for the first time the other day told me that I had options for internet service other than the $49.99 per month plan.

Let business be business or there won't be any business. Phone and cable customers don't need a public advocate. The poverty-stricken kids in Maine, the disabeled, the mentally ill, and again, the hungry kids in Maine need an advocate and you don't here one thing about that...  

From Michael (Wed 7/1/2009 8:32 AM)

As one of the people who received the sharp end of FairPoint's incompetence, I am very glad for the PUC's advocacy. Maybe you didn't need the PUC this time, but next time -- and hopefully there won't be a next time -- but if there is, you'll be glad for the PUC, too. Regulation and consumer protection is a public service, just like the fire department and the police.

As for your comment that "let business be business": when one company's financial overreach and managerial incompetence impacts the livelihoods of thousands of northern New Englanders, a laissez faire attitude is incompetent.

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