'Abandoned': Belmont residents worry about losing landline as Verizon moves away from copper service
Ronald Grant is a business journalist with over 12 years of experience covering the economic landscape of Buffalo and Western New York. He holds an MBA from the University of Rochester and has previously worked at the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, where he reported on local businesses and economic trends. Ronald has a keen eye for detail and is passionate about connecting community stories to the local economy.
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A Belmont couple is speaking out after Verizon announced it was phasing out copper landlines. With already poor service in their area, they fear the cuts would leave them "stranded."Paul and Leilani Marotti have lived in Belmont since 2001, relying on a copper landline that has been in place since the 1960s. Now, they say Verizon has told them that service will end in November.The Marottis are among customers across New York receiving notices as Verizon seeks authority from the Federal Communications Commission to discontinue legacy plain old telephone service delivered over copper lines, part of a transition toward fiber, fixed wireless, cellular wireless and satellite options."The repairman said we're the only second family here on Irish Settlement with copper lines, but sorry to say you're gonna be losing it in November," Leilani said.Their concern centers on what happens when the power goes out. Paul uses an oxygen machine and a CPAP, and the couple said the only cell signal they c