RICHMOND — The State Corporation Commission (SCC) is granting a motion that directs Verizon to show why it should not be sanctioned for violating the SCC’s rule governing the company’s handling of out-of-service trouble reports. In a separate case, Verizon is requesting a waiver of the rule.

Typically, out-of-service trouble reports involve customers who call to report they are without telephone service. On a monthly basis, the rule requires Verizon to clear no less than 80 percent of the reports the company receives from customers within 24 hours. The rule requires that 95 percent of such trouble reports be cleared within 48 hours.

On May 10, the SCC’s staff filed a motion for a “rule to show cause.” The motion asserts a demonstrable concern relating to Verizon’s performance with regard to the rule. Although staff received a corrective action plan from Verizon last October, the company has failed to comply with its plan.

Verizon is directed to respond on or before August 17.

Meanwhile, the Commission is also taking written comments on the Verizon request for a waiver of the rule. Comments in case PUC-2007-00041 must be submitted by July 3, 2007.

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Case number: PUC-2007-00040 - Rule to Show Cause

Case number: PUC-2007-00041 - Verizon request for waiver of rule