Fuming Over Frontier? City Mgm't To Present May 10 Council Report On What It's Done And What Customers Can Do; Ass'yman O'Donnell Skeds May 14 Town Hall With Frontier Reps And CPUC; Ass'yman Gatto Skeds May 18 Sac'to Committee Hearing

LBReport.com

News / Advisory

LBREPORT.com is reader and advertiser supported. Support independent news in LB similar to the way people support NPR and PBS stations. We're not non-profit so it's not tax deductible but $49.95 (less than an annual dollar a week) helps keep us online.

(May 8, 2016, 7:10 p.m.) -- Frontier Communications, which began providing services previously provided by Verizon on April 1, will be the focus on attention by the LB City Council and at least two Sacramento lawmakers over the next nine days.

On Tuesday May 10, in response to an item agendized by Councilmembers Austin, Price and Supernaw, city management will present a report "regarding the issues the City has experienced since the transfer of assets from Verizon to Frontier Communications, including issues with the City's network, the City's communications with the California Public Utilities Commission and Frontier Communications, and how residents and business owners can register and resolve complaints about service." The Councilmembers' agendizing memo states in pertinent part:
[T]here have been numerous complaints expressed by residents to the City, as well as on social media sites. The City has also experienced difficulties with its telecommunications services. The City of Long Beach has no regulatory oversight over telephone, cable or broadband service providers. Under state law, the California Public Utilites Commission (CPUC) is responsible for the regulation of phone and cable service providers. Given the extent of difficulties and frustration expressed by customers impacted by this recent change in service, we would request a report on the issues that have been experienced by or reported to the City, as well as the City's communications with the CPUC and Frontier, and information on how customers can register and attempt to resolve service complaints.

[Scroll down for further.]

On Sat. May 14, Assemblyman Patrick O'Donnell (D, Long Beach-San Pedro) has scheduled what he describes as a Town Hall [O'Donnell Facebook text] "so customers impacted by the Verizon/Frontier transition can speak directly to Frontier Communications & California Public Utilities Commission representatives to get service issues resolved." The event will take place on May 14 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the EXPO Arts Center, 4321 Atlantic Ave. in LB (Bixby Knolls area.) A flier from Assemblyman O'Donnell's office says: "Constituents will have the opportunity to resolve service issues with representatives from the CA Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and Frontier Communications" and space is limited so RSVP is requested: (562) 429-0470 or Allison.Gallagher@asm.ca.gov
On Wednesday May 18, Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D, L.A./Burbank/Glendale) -- who chairs the Assembly's Utilities and Commerce Committee -- will hold a Sacramento hearing in his Committee [media advisory text] "to discuss the severe internet, telephone, and cable outages Frontier Communications customers are enduring across California...Frontier Communications customers have been experiencing severe telephone, internet, and cable outages since its transition from Verizon on April 1st. Media reports have detailed a myriad of issues customers have suffered through, including residents' inability to dial 911 for an emergency, home security alarms not functioning, and cities unable to live-stream city council meetings." Assemblyman Gatto office indicates the hearing participants will include representatives of the CPUC and Frontier Communications.