BPU to Hold Aug. Hearing on Verizon Landline Service Problems in South Jersey

TRENTON — Senator Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic) announced on June 16 that the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities will hold a local public hearing in Atlantic County in Aug. to hear directly from residents on the landline and internet service problems they are experiencing with Verizon. The hearing is a response to a request made by Senator Van Drew to state BPU President Richard Mroz several months ago.
The BPU hearing regarding the Verizon issues in western Cumberland and western Atlantic counties has been scheduled for August 4th, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at the Estell Manor Elementary School, 128 Cape May Ave, Estell Manor, NJ 08319. The meeting is expected to be attended by senior officials from BPU and Verizon. Senator Van Drew issued the following statement:
“Over the last number of months, hundreds of people in western Cumberland and Atlantic counties have reported serious problems with their landline telephone service and internet service provided by Verizon. The issues range from static and service interruptions to complete loss of service, and are the unfortunate results of poorly-maintained copper infrastructure and the failure of the company to address the problem in a comprehensive way.
“I am pleased that, at my request, BPU has agreed to hold a hearing this summer so that state officials and Verizon can hear directly from those who are suffering with inadequate service. This is a quality of life issue for residents and one that could potentially have a serious impact on the health and safety of those who are living and working in these communities.
“I want to thank President Mroz for his attention to this matter. I look forward to working with my colleagues, Assemblymen Andrzejczak and Land, the state and Verizon to find a workable and permanent solution to the inadequate service that residents have been forced to deal with for far too long.”