AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – Maine regulators have rejected FairPoint Communications’ request to waive more than $845,000 in penalties for problems delivering wholesale service to smaller telecommunications companies.

But the Public Utilities Commission is allowing FairPoint to file additional information in support of claims that the problems were caused by “extraordinary events” beyond FairPoint’s control.

FairPoint had been assessed the fines for recurring issues in the services the company is obligated to supply to smaller, independent telecommunications firms.

FairPoint said Tuesday the company already has credited penalties to the smaller firms through May, but was still seeking to waive the penalties retroactive through February.

Since the company took over northern New England phone systems from Verizon last winter, it has been plagued by numerous service issues.


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