Federal Communications Commission FCC 07-124
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of
Verizon
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File No. EB-06-SE-001
NAL/Acct. No. 200732100040
FRN #  0016304214
ORDER
Adopted:  July 17, 2007 Released:  July 17, 2007
By the Commission: 
1. In this Order, we adopt the attached Consent Decree entered into between the 
Commission and Verizon.  The Consent Decree terminates the Enforcement Bureau’s investigation into 
Verizon’s compliance with Part 4 of the Commission’s rules regarding the reporting of network outages.1
2. The Commission and Verizon have negotiated the terms of a Consent Decree that would 
resolve this matter and terminate the investigation.  A copy of the Consent Decree is attached hereto and 
incorporated by reference.  
3. We conclude that, in the absence of new material evidence, no substantial or material 
questions of fact exist with respect to this matter as to whether Verizon possesses the basic qualifications, 
including those related to character, to hold or obtain any FCC license or authorization. 
4. After reviewing the terms of the Consent Decree, we find that the public interest will be 
served by adopting the Consent Decree and terminating the Enforcement Bureau’s investigation.
5. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 4(i) of the Communications Act 
of 1934, as amended,2 the Consent Decree attached to this Order IS ADOPTED.
6. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Enforcement Bureau’s investigation IS 
TERMINATED.
7. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Verizon will make a voluntary contribution to the 
United States Treasury in the amount of one million, four hundred thousand dollars ($1,400,000) within 
thirty (30) calendar days after the Effective Date.  Such contribution shall be made by credit card through 
the Commission’s Debt and Credit Management Center at (202) 418-1995, or by mailing a check or 
similar instrument, payable to the order of the Federal Communications Commission, to the Federal 
Communications Commission, P.O. Box 358340, Pittsburgh, PA 15251-8340.  Payment by overnight 
mail may be sent to Mellon Bank/LB 358340, 500 Ross Street, Room 1540670, Pittsburgh, PA 15251.  
Payment by wire transfer may be made to ABA Number 043000261, receiving bank Mellon Bank, and 
account number 911-6106.  The payment should reference the NAL/Acct. No. and FRN number 
referenced above.
  
1 47 C.F.R. § 4.1 et seq.
2 47 U.S.C. § 154(i).
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8. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Order and Consent Decree shall be 
sent by first class mail and certified mail, return receipt requested, to Kathleen Grillo, Vice President, 
Federal Regulatory, Verizon, 1300 I Street, N.W., Suite 400 West, Washington, D.C. 20005.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Marlene H. Dortch
Secretary
Federal Communications Commission FCC 07-124
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CONSENT DECREE
1. The Federal Communications Commission (the “Commission” or “FCC”) and Verizon, 
by their respective authorized representatives, hereby enter into this Consent Decree for the purpose of 
terminating the Enforcement Bureau’s Investigation into Verizon’s compliance with the Commission’s 
regulations in 47 C.F.R. Part 4 regarding the reporting of network outages.  
2. For the purposes of this Consent Decree, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Act” means the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 151
et seq.
(b) “Adopting Order” or “Order” means an order of the Commission adopting this 
Consent Decree.
(c) “Bureau” means the Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications 
Commission.
(d) “Commission” or “FCC” means the Federal Communications Commission.
(e) “Effective Date” means the date on which the Commission releases the Order.
(f) “Investigation” means the investigation initiated by the Bureau’s May 10, 
2006 Letter of Inquiry regarding Verizon’s compliance with the Commission’s 
regulations in Part 4 of its Rules regarding the reporting of network outages 
through the Effective Date.
(g) “Parties” means Verizon and the Commission.
(h) “Rules” means the Commission’s regulations set forth in Title 47 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations.
(i) “Verizon” means the regulated, wholly owned subsidiaries of Verizon 
Communications Inc.
I. BACKGROUND
3. Pursuant to Part 4 of the Rules, a wireline communications provider is required to submit 
to the Commission an electronic Notification within 120 minutes after discovering that it has experienced 
a network outage of at least 30 minutes duration that: (1) potentially affects at least 900,000 user minutes 
of either telephony or paging; (2) affects at least 1,350 DS3 minutes; (3) potentially affects any special 
offices or facilities, as defined by the Rules; or (4) potentially affects a 911 special facility, as defined by 
the Rules.  47 C.F.R. §§ 4.5, 4.9(f).  Within 72 hours after discovering such an outage, a wireline 
communications provider is required to submit electronically an Initial Communications Outage Report.  
47 C.F.R. § 4.9(f).  
4. Verizon is a wireline communications provider and is subject to the network outage 
reporting regulations in Part 4 of the Commission’s Rules.
5. On May 10, 2006, the Bureau issued a Letter of Inquiry (“LOI”) initiating an 
investigation regarding Verizon’s outage reporting procedures and Verizon’s compliance with the 
Commission’s outage reporting rules.  On June 21, 2006, Verizon submitted a response to the LOI.  
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II. TERMS OF AGREEMENT
6. The Parties agree that the provisions of this Consent Decree shall be subject to final 
approval by the Bureau by incorporation of such provisions by reference in the Adopting Order.
7. Verizon agrees that the Commission has jurisdiction over it and the subject matter 
contained in this Consent Decree and the authority to enter into and adopt this Consent Decree.
8. The Parties agree and acknowledge that this Consent Decree shall constitute a final 
settlement between the Parties of the Investigation.  In express reliance on the covenants and 
representations in this Consent Decree, the Commission agrees to terminate the Investigation without any 
finding of liability on the part of Verizon.  In consideration for the termination of the Investigation and in 
accordance with the terms of this Consent Decree, Verizon agrees to the terms, conditions, and 
procedures contained herein.  
9. The Parties agree that this Consent Decree shall become binding on the Parties on the 
Effective Date.  Upon release, the Adopting Order and this Consent Decree shall have the same force and 
effect as any other final order of the Commission and any violation of the terms and conditions of this 
Consent Decree shall constitute a violation of a Commission order.
10. The Parties agree that this Consent Decree does not constitute either an adjudication on 
the merits or a factual or legal finding or determination regarding any compliance or noncompliance with 
the requirements of the Act or the Commission’s rules and orders.  The Parties agree that this Consent 
Decree is for settlement purposes only and that by agreeing to this Consent Decree, Verizon does not 
admit or deny noncompliance, violation or liability for violating the Act or the Rules in connection with 
the matters that are the subject of this Consent Decree.
11. Verizon agrees that it will make a voluntary contribution to the United States Treasury, 
without further protest or recourse, in the amount of one million, four hundred thousand dollars 
$1,400,000 within thirty (30) calendar days after the Effective Date.  Such contribution shall be made by 
credit card through the Commission’s Debt and Credit Management Center at (202) 418-1995, or by 
mailing a check or similar instrument, payable to the order of the Federal Communications Commission, 
to the Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 358340, Pittsburgh, PA 15251-8340.  Payment by 
overnight mail may be sent to Mellon Bank/LB 358340, 500 Ross Street, Room 1540670, Pittsburgh, PA 
15251. Payment by wire transfer may be made to ABA Number 043000261, receiving bank Mellon 
Bank, and account number 911-6106.  The payment should reference Acct. No. 200732100040 and FRN 
# 0016304214.
12. Verizon agrees that it will develop, within thirty (30) calendar days from the Effective 
Date, an internal Compliance Plan to ensure Verizon’s future compliance with the Commission’s 
regulations in Part 4 of its Rules regarding the reporting of disruptions to communications.  The 
Compliance Plan will include, at a minimum, the following components:
A. Compliance Training Program.  Verizon shall establish and maintain an FCC outage 
reporting training program, as detailed below, for all employees who are responsible for 
gathering and/or analyzing information regarding Verizon’s network outages, entering 
that information into any Verizon database(s) and/or record(s) that forms the basis of 
Federal Communications Commission FCC 07-124
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Verizon’s reporting of network outages to the Commission, or compiling and/or 
submitting Verizon’s outage reports to the Commission.1  
i. Verizon’s Compliance Training Program shall address, at a minimum, the FCC’s 
Rules governing the reporting of network outages, the information and 
calculations necessary to determine whether an outage is reportable under the 
FCC’s Rules, and the time periods during which notifications and reports of 
reportable outages must be submitted to the FCC.  Verizon’s Compliance 
Training Program shall also address the methods and procedures adopted by 
Verizon to identify and report those network outages that satisfy the FCC’s 
reporting criteria in order to ensure compliance with the FCC’s outage reporting 
Rules.  The training program shall also include information on the potential 
internal and regulatory consequences of failing to comply with Verizon’s 
methods and procedures and/or the FCC’s outage reporting requirements.  
ii. Verizon shall provide the foregoing outage reporting training within six months 
of the Effective Date and will update the training at least annually for all of its 
employees who are responsible for gathering and/or analyzing information 
regarding Verizon’s network outages, entering that information into any Verizon 
database(s) and/or record(s) that forms the basis of Verizon’s reporting of 
network outages to the Commission, or compiling and/or submitting Verizon’s 
outage reports to the Commission.  Verizon will also provide training to new 
employees responsible for these activities.  
iii. Verizon shall update and enhance the foregoing training regarding the FCC’s 
outage reporting requirements as appropriate and necessary.  
B. Internal Controls Over Outage Reporting. Verizon will create, and shall maintain, a 
warning system that alerts an employee if he/she has entered incomplete information into 
Verizon’s vRepair Abnormal Events (vRAE) database regarding a network outage in a 
way that may interfere with Verizon’s ability to identify and report a reportable network 
outage.    
C. Annual Report. Twelve months and twenty-four months after the Effective Date, 
Verizon shall submit an affidavit or declaration under penalty of perjury, signed and 
dated by an authorized officer of Verizon with personal knowledge of the representations 
therein, verifying that Verizon has complied with the terms of this Consent Decree.  The 
declaration shall be submitted to Kathryn S. Berthot, Chief, Spectrum Enforcement 
Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, 
S.W., Washington, D.C.  20554.  The declaration or affidavit must comply with Section 
1.16 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.16, and be substantially in the form set 
forth therein.
  
1 Under this provision, Verizon will not be required to provide outage reporting compliance training to 
employees whose responsibilities do not include gathering, analysis, or data entry of information regarding 
Verizon’s network outages or compiling Verizon’s outage reports, or whose involvement in Verizon’s outage 
reporting activities is limited to performing job functions that are not specific to outage reporting under the 
Commission’s Rules.  
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D. Termination.  The provisions of this paragraph shall remain in effect for two (2) years 
from the Effective Date.  
13. The Commission agrees that, in the absence of new material evidence, it will not 
institute, on its own motion or in response to third-party objection, any new proceeding, formal or 
informal, or take any action on its own motion against Verizon for possible past violations of Part 4 of the 
Commission’s rules regarding the reporting of network outages prior to the Effective Date.  The 
Commission also agrees that, in the absence of new material evidence, it will not use the facts developed 
in the Investigation through the Effective Date, or the existence of this Consent Decree, to institute on its 
own motion any new proceeding, formal or informal, or to take any action on its own motion, against 
Verizon for possible violations of Part 4 of the Commission’s rules regarding the reporting of network 
outages prior to the Effective Date.  The Commission further agrees that, in the absence of new material 
evidence, it will not use the facts developed in this Investigation through the Effective Date, or the 
existence of this Consent Decree, to institute on its own motion any proceeding, formal or informal, or 
take any action on its own motion, against Verizon with respect to its basic qualifications, including its 
character qualifications, to be a Commission licensee. 
14. Nothing in this Consent Decree shall prevent the Commission or its delegated authority 
from adjudicating any formal or informal complaint filed against Verizon pursuant to Section 208 of the 
Act, 47 U.S.C. § 208, and to take action in response to such formal complaint. If any such complaint is 
made, the adjudication of that complaint will be based solely on the record developed in that proceeding 
and the Commission shall not use any facts developed through the Investigation in any such proceeding.  
Except as expressly provided in this Consent Decree, nothing herein shall prevent the Commission or its 
delegated authority from investigating Verizon’s compliance with the Act, the Commission’s rules, or this 
Consent Decree.  
15. Verizon waives any and all rights it may have to seek administrative or judicial 
reconsideration, review, appeal or stay or to otherwise challenge or contest the validity of this Consent 
Decree and the Adopting Order, provided the Order adopts this Consent Decree without change, addition, 
or modification.  Verizon shall retain the right to challenge Commission interpretation of the Consent 
Decree or any terms contained herein.  
16. Verizon’s decision to enter this Consent Decree is expressly contingent upon the 
Commission’s issuance of the Order adopting the Consent Decree without change, addition, or 
modification.
17. Nothing in this Consent Decree shall preclude Verizon from petitioning the Commission 
for relief as to future obligations under Part 4 of the Commission's Rules.
18. In the event that this Consent Decree is rendered invalid by any court of competent 
jurisdiction, it shall become null and void and may not be used in any manner in any legal proceeding.
19. The Parties agree that if either Party (or the United States on behalf of the Commission), 
brings a judicial action to enforce the terms of the Order adopting this Consent Decree, neither Verizon 
nor the Commission shall contest the validity of the Consent Decree or the Adopting Order, and Verizon 
will waive any statutory right to a trial de novo regarding the terms or validity of the Consent Decree.  
Verizon, however, may present evidence that it has not violated the Consent Decree.
20. Verizon agrees that any violation of any term of this Consent Decree shall constitute a 
separate violation of a Commission order, entitling the Commission to exercise any rights and remedies 
attendant to the enforcement of a Commission order.
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21. The Parties agree that if any provision of the Consent Decree conflicts with any 
subsequent rule or order adopted by the Commission (except an order specifically intended to revise the 
terms of this Consent Decree to which Verizon does not consent), that provision will be superseded by 
such Commission rule or order.
22. This Consent Decree cannot be modified without the advance written consent of both 
Parties.
23. This Consent Decree may be signed in counterparts.
For the Federal Communications Commission:
____________________________
Marlene H. Dortch
Secretary
____________________________
Date
For Verizon:
____________________________
Michael D. Poling
Senior Vice President -- National Operations and Support
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Date