FairPoint Communications (FRP), struggling to clean up the mess made by a poorly executed takeover of Verizon lines, is denying charges it faked network cutover tests demonstrated for regulators.
The embattled New England-area LEC said in a filing this week with the Vermont Public Service Board that allegations of the faked tests have no evidence. State regulators received an anonymous e-mail last week that contained the accusation.
Still, some state attorneys general aren’t convinced. Maine’s lead lawyer already is investigating the allegations, and New Hampshire’s may do the same.
FairPoint’s much-publicized troubles started last year after it bought landline and Internet assets from Verizon. Then, once it cut over to a new computer system this past February, problems exploded. At one point, some subscribers couldn’t call the hospital, a public safety director has said. Others also have been unable to reach FairPoint customer service and still others have lost e-mail messages because of the provider’s systems hiccups. Indeed, FairPoint admitted in its second-quarter earnings filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, “the magnitude of difficulties experienced was beyond our expectations.”
