TRENTON – Senator Jeff Van Drew said that Verizon’s commitment to making improvements for South Jersey customers with unreliable Internet and phone service is a positive step forward, but that the only way to ensure adequate service is for full FIOS across all of South Jersey. He urged the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to order Verizon to make that investment.
Verizon announced its intentions to make infrastructure improvements in a letter issued to BPU last week. Its action was in response to problems described by residents in the Cumberland County area at a hearing held by BPU on August 4th that was requested by Senator Van Drew. It also comes after Cumberland County, in conjunction with 17 municipalities in the region, filed a complaint with BPU over the service issues.
“I’m appreciative that Verizon has committed to making some of the needed improvements to its infrastructure in South Jersey. It is good news that Estell Manor, Weymouth, Corbin City and Maurice River will be getting enhanced DSL, as well as coverage in areas where they had none. There is also a strong possibility that Estell Manor, Weymouth and Corbin City will get FIOS. In Commercial Township and Downe, they’ve committed to expanded DSL, but not to providing complete coverage in western Cumberland County, which is desperately needed. The company also claims to have addressed all of the issues reported by customers at the public hearing, and we are glad the public dialogue led to action in those cases.
“I want to be clear that this is important progress, but it is not enough to ensure appropriate service for our residents. Families in South Jersey deserve access to the 21st Century technology that is afforded to people across the state and affects everything from education to business and the safety of our communities.
“Our ultimate goal must be for full FIOS coverage in all of South Jersey, and I am urging the BPU to order Verizon to make that investment.”
