Assemblymember Cahill Says No to Verizon Plan to Phase Out Landlines

Tells consumers they can weigh in on the issue with the PSC

August 2, 2013

Kingston, New York – Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D – Ulster, Dutchess) spoke during a teleconference organized by the Communication Workers of America yesterday to thousands of Hudson Valley residents about Verizon’s plan to install Voice Link technologies instead of repairing and maintaining copper landlines. This product makes home telephones operate on the wireless network in the same way cellular phones do but does not allow for the transport of data, which is required to send a fax, use a credit card reader, or to utilize home security systems. It is also unknown how well these devices will work in rural areas or in emergencies like Hurricane Sandy.

“We have to step in and protect our rights with the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the New York State Senate, and this is the time to do it,” said Assemblymember Cahill during the teleconference. “I want Verizon landline customers in the Catskills and elsewhere to know that they are not required to accept Voice Link services and they should not let themselves be bullied into having an inferior system installed in their home or business. I urge folks who are concerned about this switch to contact the PSC regarding Verizon’s petition to install Voice Link whenever and wherever they see fit.”

In June of 2013, Assemblymember Cahill co-sponsored Assembly bill A. 7635 which would impose a moratorium on the installation of wireless technologies in place of traditional landlines until a study can be conducted on this product’s impact on reliability, efficiency and safety. This bill was approved in the Assembly but failed to pass in the Senate.

“In some regions of my district like Shandaken, cell service is nearly non-existent and during Hurricane Irene in 2011 people lined up to use the only reliable communication devices: landlines. While more and more people are using cellular service as their primary means of voice calls, it is important to remember that this technology is just not ready for prime time,” said Cahill.

Public Comments can be filed on this matter by contacting the PSC via e-mail at secretary@dps.ny.gov, posting a public comment online at www.dps.ny.gov, calling the Commmission’s toll free line at -800-335-2120 or by mailing comments to Hon. Jeffrey C. Cohen, Acting Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. Please reference Case13-C-0197 in all correspondence. The deadline for public comment is September 13, 2013. All comments submitted to the Secretary will be posted to the Commission’s website and become part of the official case record.

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