Verizon Gets Slammed at NYC Council Hearing

Right now: @NYCMayorsOffice & @NYCDoITT slam Vz for failing on FiOS build at packed @NYCCouncil hearing #standup2vzpic.twitter.com/YBrcOonzy8

— CWA District 1 (@CWADistrict1) October 14, 2015

In a sign of growing concerns about Verizon, the New York City Council held a hearing on Wednesday to hear from city officials, customers who have been unable to get FiOS, and the company itself. Customers, Council Members, the Mayor's Office, and NYC Department of Information Technology slammed Verizon for its broken promises.

Verizon representatives Kevin Service, Verizon's President for the Northeast area,and Leecia Eve, Verizon's Vice President for State Government Affairs for NJ, NY & CT,  claimed the company fulfilled its FiOS commitments "one thousand percent." Yet, they failed to adequately explain why many New York City residents still cannot get FiOS. Instead, they asserted that they have met their commitment to "pass" every household.

Disappointing responses from @verizon 2 questions about providing access to all NYers. @CWADistrict1@RitchieTorrespic.twitter.com/kXLjajYzvb

— Helen Rosenthal (@HelenRosenthal) October 14, 2015

"We consider it to be passed if we're within the realm of substantial fiber placement," Service said when asked to define "passed." "I'm not a lawyer, but here's what I would say: we're passed if, when we get the request for service and have the necessary rights of way, what we have left to do does not create a delay in bringing service to that customer. Under that Kevin Service Definition, we've passed every household."

Meanwhile, thousands of New York City residents who want FiOS cannot actually get the service. A recent audit by the City found that Verizon substantially failed to meet its commitment to the people of New York City.

Service was nearly laughed out of City Hall as Council member Brad Lander, who like millions of NYC residents can't get FiOS, took Verizon apart. Watch it:

Click here for more photos from the hearing.

READ MORE:

Verizon tries to avoid building more fiber by redifining the word 'pass'

NYC Officials Grill Verizon About Incomplete FiOS Rollout

Verizon Defends Crappy FiOS Rollout With The "Kevin Service Definition"