ALBANY – The state Public Service Commission approved a joint proposal filed by Verizon, the commission staff, the company’s union, and a consumer advocacy group, which would commit the communications company to improve customer service quality, including expanding broadband service, making repairs to existing copper service, and eliminate 64,000 existing double telephone poles.
Under terms of the proposal, approved on Thursday, Verizon will expand its fiber and hybrid fiber-copper networks in areas of upstate, the Hudson Valley, and on Long Island.
Verizon will also upgrade its existing copper systems in New York City.
The joint proposal is the result of two years of discussions between Verizon, commission staff, the company’s union Communication Workers of America, and the Public Utility Law Project of New York.
