FairPoint: Maine PUC wants ILEC to lower rates

In the latest installment of the never-ending saga between FairPoint Communications and New England State Public Utilities Commissions, the Maine PUC is mandating that the beleaguered service provider lower its voice rates by $1.72 per month. The PUC also reprimanded the service provider for not following its previous order to put the decreased fees into action months ago.

PUC Commissioner Jack Cashman held no punches in blasting FairPoint's inaction. "FairPoint, instead of following the rulings of this commission, have ignored our rulings," he said. "I find this as offensive now as the first time they did this."

Since the Maine PUC asked FairPoint to lower rates in October, FairPoint asked if the PUC could move back the order by rebating customers instead. The Maine PUC concluded that FairPoint did not live up to its quality standards it set for itself so it imposed the rebate as a fine for not meeting the quality standards. Still, FairPoint did not implement the PUC's rate order.

For more:
- Bangor Daily News has this article

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