The Me. PUC chose 42 sites around the state for state- subsidized...
The Me. PUC chose 42 sites around the state for state- subsidized public interest payphones. The phones are going into locations with substantial low-income populations, low landline penetration rates or spotty wireless service. The PUC website has a list…
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of the locations. The phones will provide free local calls, plus 911 and interexchange access. The PUC acted under a 2005 state law that provided a $50,000 state fund to subsidize payphones in areas where they're vital to public health and safety but not profitable enough for business. The PUC is seeking bids to supply the payphone service. The first phones are expected to go into service this year. In another matter, the Me. PUC changed its process for reviewing Verizon challenges to service complaint counts that are part of its service quality metrics. Under the revised procedure, the state Consumer Advocate is automatically a party to any Verizon challenge of complaints included in the counts, with a specific comment & reply cycle for the advocate.