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And that's why we have a Department of Public Utilities
By adamg on Sun, 09/13/2009 - 10:50am
The Outraged Liberal details his problems with Verizon getting his busted landline fixed:
It's now been about 24 hours since Verizon called my out-of-service landline to tell me the problem we reported had been fixed the previous afternoon.
Of course, I only found out by calling my voice mail, since the phone didn't ring because the line was still dead. And there was a Verizon tech, the third in three days, in my basement trying to solve the problem two of his colleagues had failed to fix.
Even though they reported that they had. ...
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Comments
Simple solution, get rid of
Simple solution, get rid of the land line. Save our streets from being torn up, save money, and stick it to Verizon for crummy physical infrastructure in one fell swoop.
To be fair:
To be fair:
The physical infrastructure OL describes is standard for telco distribution in adjoining buildings (from New England Telephone days). It's cheaper/easier for repairs to connect one building, then use small holes in foundation walls between several properties to connect to a hub than it is to dig from the street to every single address. It's also cheaper to allow the status quo remain as long as it's working.
Now, Verizon's customer service and response staff, they deserve hostility.
In truth, the best thing would be to go ahead and let Verizon upgrade to fiber optic/FiOS. But then there's that nasty Comcast monopoly the Mayor keeps signing.
Not really a solution
Ever try to use your cell phone during an emergency, in bad weather, sometimes even indoors? We're a very long way from reliable wireless / mobile coverage, especially in the US.
Verizon can't use the telephone
I talked to a Verizon tech about a year ago. Apparently their dispatchers, phone reps, and techs are FORBIDDEN to speak to each other by phone; everything MUST go through The Computer.
Ostensibly, that's to ensure everything gets tracked - and it it would work, too, if the world were a giant, orderly computer instead of a messy reality. But it sure makes solving actual problems difficult.
Not too hard to come up with
Not too hard to come up with a smartphone/tablet system to allow them to do just that. It's freakin' VERIZON for crying out loud. If their customers can figure out how to use such systems on their network, why not the company itself?
What??
What's a "landline?"
-----------------------------------------
who and the what now?
A landline is something
A landline is something prudent people keep, because a hardwire connection (copper) will always be better, safer, and stronger than the wireless connection ATT you may or may not have on your iPhone.
I have several wireless devices (both on my home intranet and on my mobile devices), but also know redundancy through hardwire is critical.
Unless
Your desired critical redundancy is pointless for the case you're making unless it is:
* NOT a cordless handset
* NOT serviced through your cable company (i.e. not VoIP)
* powered ONLY through the phone line
Do they even make any phones like that any more?
(last question is facetious)
Rhetorical question, I know
... looking over at the $10 wired phone I bought for just such occasions...
... and the butt-set with alligator clips...
Nah. I like my iPhone.