Hawaii has similar story of phone woes
Toolbox
Times Argus Staff - Published: November 16, 2009
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Northern New England's landline phone users are familiar with FairPoint's record in the region. The story has a similar ring at the opposite end of the country, in Hawaii.
It starts with the purchase of Verizon Communications' wired phone network by a much smaller company. The purchase is followed by computer troubles, erroneous billing of customers and long waits for service. As debts mount, the new company struggles to fix the problems, but finally files for bankruptcy protection.
The story that's unfolded in Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire involves FairPoint. In Hawaii, a company called Hawaiian Telcom filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last December. Last week, a bankruptcy judge heard arguments about whether the reorganization plan should go forward. New England officials are watching the Hawaii case closely to see if any lessons can be learned.
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