FairPoint Prepares "stabilization Plan" For Maine

CLARKE CANFIELD

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — FairPoint Communications Inc. is expected to file a report to regulators detailing how it plans to address mounting customer service and billing problems.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission's request for a "stabilization plan" was prompted by consumer complaints about service orders not being filled, billing errors and long waits when calling FairPoint's customer service center.

Among the PUC's questions are how FairPoint plans to improve its ordering process, resolve billing errors and customer confusion, improve customer call center performance and repair deficiencies in its back-office systems. FairPoint planned to send the report to the PUC Tuesday evening after the PUC offices had closed for the day.

"It will address the questions and issues raised by the commission," said Jeff Nevins, spokesman for the Charlotte, N.C.-based firm.

FairPoint paid $2.3 billion for Verizon Communications' land lines in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont in a deal completed last March 31; but it didn't take total control until late January when it transferred data from Verizon's 600 computer systems to FairPoint's new network of 60 computer systems.