$13 Million Bell Atlantic Fine Not Enough ``To Restore Consumer Confidence'' Says Consumers' Voice.Business/News Editors INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 2000 Yesterday, federal and state regulators levied a $13 million fine against Bell Atlantic over its mishandling of New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of customers' requests to transfer to other local telephone providers. "Bell Atlantic failed," said Robert K. Johnson, executive director of Consumers' Voice. "The fines are great for the government and competing companies, but what do consumers get? No compensations can relieve their frustration or restore their confidence." Johnson added, "Despite expansive testing and the alleged `proof' that Bell Atlantic's Operating Support Systems (OSS Oss (ôs), city (1994 pop. 62,141), North Brabant prov., S Netherlands; chartered 1399. It is a significant industrial center. Manufactures include meat products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, and metalware. ) could handle these requests efficiently, we now can see the dismal results in practice." A second announcement came as a direct result of the problems in New York. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is a regulatory authority in New Jersey charged with the responsibility of seeing that "safe, adequate, and proper utility services are provided at reasonable rates for customers in New Jersey. ordered current OSS testing stopped and an evaluation of the New York situation to ensure that similar problems do not occur in New Jersey. "I commend com·mend tr.v. com·mend·ed, com·mend·ing, com·mends 1. To represent as worthy, qualified, or desirable; recommend. 2. To express approval of; praise. See Synonyms at praise. 3. the New Jersey BPU's decision to reevaluate its testing process. Unfortunately, as the events continue to unfold unfold - inline and new evidence comes to light in New York, it will become more clear to all state regulatory agencies state regulatory agency A state body responsible for establishing professional standards, and for certifying professionals or organizations through appropriate documentation , this is not a problem that can be quickly or easily addressed," said Johnson. Johnson is executive director of Consumers' Voice, an Indianapolis-based consumer advocacy group that supports local telephone choice. For more information, see www.consumersvoice.com. |
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