New York’s Public Service Commission agreed to end Verizon New York’s network review plan after the company...

plan followed a finding that Verizon had fulfilled requirements to gain access to inspect and fix installations and consistently meet a grounding and bonding target for new installations, the commission said. Under the plan (CD Dec 17 p10), the telco committed to inspect all FiOS installations done before August 2008 and fix any problems. It also agreed to inspect an ongoing sample of installations after then to ensure compliance with grounding and bonding requirements specified by the commission and the carrier’s methods and procedures. Verizon started installing its FiOS network in 2004. The commission said its staff inspections of the company’s early installations identified “a high degree of non-compliance” with National Electric Code grounding and bonding standards. In response, Verizon in 2008 filed a plan to remediate deficient past installations, require detailed inspection of new installations and provide additional training for its technicians. The commission did impose a modified supplemental remedial plan for at least three months. Verizon will continue to do monthly inspections of a sample of new installations. The company is required to resolve outstanding minor issues and comply with the previous duties concerning new installations, including issuing customers credits and inspecting all new installations in all places where it underperforms. Other measures will be considered, including supplemental training on particular types of grounding techniques, new performance monitoring and employee incentive and discipline programs. The remedial plan will end when Verizon verifies that it has met the remaining requirements.