The FCC sought comment on Verizon’s Section 214 petition to end landline service in parts of NewnYork and New Jersey following the copper damage from last year’s Superstorm Sandy, said a Wireline Bureaunpublic notice Friday (http://fcc.us/1amFnoz). The telco proposed instead using the fixed wireless alternativenknown as Voice Link. Comments are due July 29 in docket 13-150. The FCC has discretion innwhether to grant such requests, said the PN. “Balancing the interests of the carrier and the affected userncommunity, the Commission generally considers a number of factors including: (1) the financial impact onnthe carrier of continuing to provide the service; (2) the need for the service in general; (3) the need for thenparticular facilities in question; (4) the existence, availability, and adequacy of alternatives; and (5) increasedncharges for alternative services, although this factor may be outweighed by other considerations.”nThe public notice described the debate over Voice Link that has emerged in recent months, laying out thenconcerns the New York State Public Service Commission pointed to in a May order granting Verizon conditional approval to deploy the service on Fire Island. The PN seeks comment on Verizon’s “waiver request,nthe steps it has taken to notify customers given the particular circumstances in this case, the availability ofnalternative services including the steps Verizon has taken to offer alternative service to customers, and anynother relevant issues in light of the above mentioned factors,” it said. “What impact, if any, should the circumstancesnof this case have on the Commission’s traditional analysis, including the fact that many of thenaffected customers have already lost service? Is Voice Link service a reasonable substitute for the AffectednServices? In addition to those discussed above, are there features, functions, or capabilities that were availablenover the Affected Services that would not be available over the Voice Link service?” The bureau askednstakeholders to comment on “the significance of the features, functions and capabilities that are not currentlynavailable over the Voice Link service” and “should identify whether any conditions could ensure that thendiscontinuance of Verizon’s wireline service does not harm the public interest.”
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