For Immediate Release: 05/13/21
John B. Howard, Interim Chair
Contact:
http://www.dps.ny.gov
http://twitter.com/NYSDPS
21051/20-C-0267
PSC Approves Plan to Improve Frontier’s Customer Service
Frontier Will Spend $83 Million in Capital Investments in New York Over Next 3 Years
Expanding High-Speed Internet Service to 50,000 Households and Businesses Underway
ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today approved a $12.5
million plan for Frontier Communications Corporation (Frontier) and its New York operating
subsidiaries that will help improve customer service. The plan includes spending on capital
expenditures on such things as central office battery replacements, new fiber-to-the-premises
construction, remote terminal battery replacements, and other outside plant improvements. With
expected action plan investments included, Frontier plans to spend a minimum of $83 million in
capital investments in New York State through 2023.
“The Commission has determined that because of the need for significant improvement to Frontier’s
service quality performance, the implementation of this action plan must be monitored closely,” said
Commission Chair John B. Howard. “The plan commits Frontier to regularly report on its progress
regarding capital projects and service quality metric performance. The Commission finds the action
plan is in the public interest.”
Frontier and its subsidiaries serve approximately 196,000 access lines throughout New York State,
providing telephone, cable television and internet services. In October 2020, Frontier’s bankruptcy
restructuring was approved by the Commission with conditions that committed Frontier to spend $9
million in incremental capital expenditures on a service quality improvement program with defined
targets and incentives, and required that an action plan be submitted for approval by the Commission.
The approved action plan includes $12.5 million in expected capital expenditures that will address
specific measures and projects to be completed by Frontier in 24 central offices identified as needing
improvement, and how these projects will enhance service quality and network reliability. The central
offices are located in Ausable Forks, Blue Mountain Lake, Canandaigua, Chester, East
Rochester/Pittsford, Fort Plain, Georgetown, Gloversville, Goshen, Highland Mills, Keeseville, Lake
Luzerne, Maybrook, Middletown, Monroe, Montgomery, Naples, Norwich, Paul Smiths, Port Jervis,
Saint Johnsville, Unadilla, Walton, and Wells. The objectives of the plan are to implement a focused
program of capital investment and proactive maintenance aimed at reducing the number of troubles
experienced by customers and improve service quality performance in the 24 central offices.
Frontier believes that the commitments are expected to provide much needed improvement in the
quality of service delivered to customers in these areas, but are not expected to negatively impact the
remaining areas in the company’s service territory. Frontier will use various methods, including