HARRISBURG, Pa. (WENY) - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is looking to hear from Frontier Communications customers in the northern tier who have experienced poor connection and service.  

Local lawmakers are encouraging Frontier customers to share their experiences at any of the four-upcoming hearings where the PUC will be gathering formal comments.

These hearings are the latest movement after the Offices of the Consumer Advocate (OCA) and Small Business Advocate (SBA) filed a formal complaint earlier this year with the PUC against Frontier. The formal letter references hundreds of complaints from Frontier customers in the northern tier.  

“My offices have heard the complaints from frustrated Frontier customers for several years, and now the PUC is interested in hearing them firsthand as well,” said Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming). “We encourage anyone who wants their complaint to be included in the commission’s investigation of the company to consider attending one of these upcoming hearings in our area,” she added. 

“The administrative law judge from the PUC is going to be there to hear specifically from customers about their frustrations, their issues with Frontier in the past, or even currently,” said Rep. Clint Owlett. (R-Tioga/Bradford). “They’re really the arm of this whole process that's going to be able to bring about the change that people need. But they need to hear directly from the customers. This is the community's opportunity to make sure that their voice is heard,” Owlett added. 

The hearing schedule is: 

  • Tuesday, June 6, 6 p.m., Wellsboro Fire Company Annex, 21 East Ave., Wellsboro. 
  • Wednesday, June 7, 2 p.m., Towanda Fire Department, 101 Elm St., Towanda. 
  • Wednesday, June 7, 6 p.m., Towanda Fire Department, 101 Elm St., Towanda. 
  • Thursday, June 8, 2 p.m., Triton Hose Company, 116 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 

Customers who wish to testify should pre-register with the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) prior to the date of the hearing they plan to attend. OCA can be reached by phone at 1-800-684-6560 or by email: consumer@paoca.org. Testifiers should provide their full name, phone number and email address if they have one. They should also indicate at which hearing they wish to testify, and if an interpreter is needed. Exhibits may also be emailed to OCA. Those who pre-register will be able to testify first. 

“Testifiers need not speak long, even a couple of minutes is fine, or customers can present the complaint form they submitted to our offices, if they prefer. The purpose of these hearings is to provide unique information for the PUC to consider, to understand the impact of the quality of Frontier’s service on individuals in our region,” said Pickett. 

Additional information about the hearings and tips on testifying are available at www.RepPickett.com and www.RepOwlett.com.