Fairpoint Accused Of Faking Network Readiness Test - Things get worse for embattled telco...Things get worse for embattled telco... 06:37PM Tuesday Aug 25 2009 by Karl Bode tags: legal · business · telco · trouble · consumers · Fairpoint Communications We've well documented how Fairpoint Communications has all-but imploded from the acquisition of Verizon's Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont DSL networks. The carrier has skirted close to bankruptcy, faces state investigations for incompetence, and is now looking at a possible delisting by the NYSE. Now the company is being rocked by allegations from an anonymous whistle blower who claims the company worked in collusion with a consultant to fake network readiness tests in order to gain regulatory approval: The e-mail was sent to regulators from “David Unavailable” on Aug. 14. The writer said he had to remain anonymous because "my relationship with FairPoint would be jeopardized." ... He says he is certain that one test was faked. He says FairPoint and CapGemini workers set up phony circuits to display false information. They used "a newly created small program that used screen shots from the real system to deceive the audience into believing that they were watching a real demonstration," the e-mail says. Fairpoint subsequently went on to suffer through a series of integration delays, as well as serious 911 emergency service issues. "We take these allegations seriously and will do a thorough investigation," Fairpoint's CEO David Hauser says in a prepared statement.
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