It's time for DC residents to take action.

Despite our testimony at public hearings, citywide quality-of-service surveys, and meetings with city officials, Verizon still refuses to take responsibility for its poor phone and Internet service.

Our Internet is still slow, our phone lines are still full of static, and our calls are still getting dropped.

Right now, the District Public Service Commission is considering the city's new agreement with Verizon. This is the perfect opportunity to make the case for greater investment from Verizon into DC telecom services.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am a long-time resident of DC and I am writing to express my outrage at the recent Price Cap Settlement negotiated between the Office of the People's Counsel and Verizon.

Given Verizon's egregious quality of service record, I am very disappointed that the city has granted Verizon a Price Cap Settlement without any provisions that would ensure improvements in the company's service quality.

My Internet is consistently slow, the line constantly cuts off, and whenever it rains there's static on the network. This is an issue of poor infrastructure and not bad customer service. Customer service training will do nothing to improve these systemic problems.

We trust that you will ensure consumer protection standards in the District and include the following components in any Settlement you approve:

1. That Verizon build Fiber Optic Service (FiOS) in all parts of the city by the end of 2008.

2. That Verizon rebuild and maintain its existing copper telephone network for all DC residents and businesses.

3. That Verizon employ DC residents in DC facilities to build FiOS and sustain existing infrastructure. Over the last 3 years Verizon has moved a third of its jobs out of the District.

Thank you for your consideration,

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 13, 2008