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Companies and consumers’ groups had until Monday to file comments appealing to the FCC not to approve Verizon’s request to offer customers in New York and New Jersey an alternative fixed wireless service in place of landline service after 2012 storms destroyed the copper infrastructure.

The Computer & Communications Industry Association joins others requesting that the FCC review the overall policy rather than automatically approve Verizon’s petition to discontinue telecommunications service to parts of New York and New Jersey. CCIA praised the filing by XO Communications, which highlighted the dangers of granting Verizon’s post-disaster petition.  XO’s comments, filed on Monday, point out that the underlying issue the FCC must decide is whether in the wake of a disaster, an incumbent carrier can decide unilaterally whether to replace landlines with less capable service.

The following can be attributed to CCIA Vice President Cathy Sloan:

“While it was appropriate for Verizon to improvise after Hurricane Sandy, it should not become a new precedent for acceptable telecommunications service in the US. The Voice Link service in place since the storm doesn’t have features like reliable 911 emergency service, which is key for customers’ access to help in any future disasters.

“Beyond emergency services, this program prevents small business merchants from processing credit card transactions, eliminates wholesale interconnection, and compromises medical alert devices.  

“This filing really underscores the need for the FCC to ensure it has clear policies on companies’ obligations when repairing and replacing infrastructure that has been damaged or destroyed by natural disasters.”