To the editor:

As an adjunct to the letter from John McDaid (March 11, 2021) about the lack of reliable internet service, I wonder why the East Bay has been bypassed by Verizon for FIOS internet access.

I have been a Verizon customer for over 30 years. I have telephone (landline) and internet service through Verizon and experience noise and spotty internet at least once per month, so Verizon sends a repairman to get the water out of the copper line, or bandaid the old wires that they are no longer stringing for service. I keep this service because when the power goes out I still have my landline.

Little Compton is one of the towns that does not (yet) have FIOS, as are Tiverton, Newport, Bristol and Warren (others?), even though much of the state has had FIOS for close to 10 years.

Verizon’s decision to put FIOS into specific communities does not seem to have a logical pattern, as larger areas like Cranston and Providence have FIOS, and I have heard it is also in the very rural areas of Foster and Glocester.

People have told me that Cox service also leaves a lot to be desired. In essence Little Compton and the East Bay are second class citizens when it comes to internet services !I know for a fact we pay at least as much as FIOS customers, with less return.

I support the H5148 bill, but doubt that it will lead to better internet service in the near future. I have sent emails to legislators, and hope it may lead to something sooner, not later.

Please raise your voice so we may all come into the current century of communication services.

Suzanne St Amour

Little Compton