LETTER: Voice Link is an inferior service

Verizon is finding new ways to shortchange New Jersey residents. First it was to sneak out of wiring the entire state with FiOS, and now it looks to shortchange shore residents after Hurricane Sandy.

Gas companies repiped and electric companies rewired all damaged facilities at the shore, but Verizon does not want to restore copper landline telephone service.

Verizon states that it wants to substitute “Voice Link” for its landline service only in Mantoloking, but you can take that statement with a grain of sand from your beaches. Once Verizon dips its toes in that water, it will expect all shore towns to fall in line.

We all know there are empty suits in Washington, but it seems Trenton is using the same tailor to let Verizon get away from its service obligation.

IBEW 827 and AARP are fighting this move, stating Voice Link is an unproven technology and will not provide the same level of service as the land­line telephone. It does not support burglar and police monitoring service, Life Alert, Enhanced 911, fire alarms, fax machines and a host of other services. It is also unregulated and can increase costs at will.

Verizon must think it has the Board of Public Utilities in its back pocket after a favorable FiOS ruling. Now it seems it’s hoping for the ol’ New Jersey handshake with an opportunity to back away from landline service. Some lawmakers or agency needs to tell Verizon to do the right thing if it want to continue doing business in this state.

LOU ALBRIGHT

Marlton