Verizon, CWA settle New York copper network dispute, agree on repairs, improvements

Verizon and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) have reached a settlement requiring the telco to repair and make improvements to its copper network infrastructure throughout New York state. Under the terms of the agreement, the service provider agreed to repair 54 central offices across the state; replace bad cable, defective equipment and faulty backup batteries; and take down 64,000 double telephone poles. Additionally, the agreement addresses broadband expansion to major apartment buildings in New York City and over 30,000 homes across the state. CWA said that the settlement with Verizon was prompted by a CWA campaign to pressure the New York Public Service Commission to require Verizon to upgrade and repair the legacy telephone network and to expand consumer access to broadband.