I tried to get DSL through Verizon (my only other available ISP was Time Warner and their rates are unaffordable). I need DSL because I am self-employed selling auto insurance. In order to qualify for appointments from carriers, I must have DSL. But I can't get DSL. The affordable plans trhough Verizon are not available in my neighborhood. But the more expensive bundled plans - which I can't afford - are. When I initially applied in response to an affordable DSL plan that was being offered through AOL in conjunction w/ Verizon on 2/28/07, I was given a Service Ready date by Verizon and received the modem.

Without any notice, Verizon cancelled my DSL order the day before I was supposed to get it (Service Ready date). Since the AOL/Verizon plan stipulated I would only get 10 free hrs of dial-up per month, I now have a $100 charge from AOL because I couldn't afford to shut down my modest little insurance agency while I waited (and waited and waited) to get through to a live body at Verizon to find out what the trouble was that I couldn't get my DSL.

An AOL rep helped me and was able to inform me that it was Verizon who cancelled the DSL order on 6/1/07. Sfter having to spend an entire day getting the run-around through all the voice menu prompts when calling Verizon, a Verizon rep told us we had a 4 yr old past due bill (which I promptly paid via e-check plus I paid my current bill, too).

Then the order was resubmitted for DSL again (this happened on 6/15/07). Again I was issued a service ready date (6/22/07). Well, on 6/19/07 Verizon sends me an email saying they cannot provide me the DSL, but they have this wonderful dial-up plan. Verizon has yet to return my calls and explain to me why they are refusing to provide a service they advertize when the trunk line goes right down the street past my home and office. However, I know without them explaining it. It's called "screw the low-income urban community", and in insurance it would be called "redlining" (which is supposed to be illegal).

So now I have lost income from having to tell auto insurance customers "sorry but you will have to wait until 6/22 when I have Internet", I am over $100 poorer (AOL's over-the-limit dial-up fees) and I am unable to get appointed with the additional insurance carriers so I can have a better chance to make a living by having competitvely priced insurance for those within my community.

And no one from either AOL or Verizon has yet made any of this right to me at all. I go to White Fence.com and find that while the affordable Verison DSL plan (the one I initially signed up for) for $29.99/mo is not available for me, their unaffordable "bundle" plan of $69.99/mo is available.

After they caused me to lose income (downtime) plus incur extra fees I would not have otherwise incurred, they have the audacity to stick it to me as a low-income self-employed person w/ the "ghetto tax" of an unaffordable bundle plan that is not a good fit for me (either I take the $69.99mo bundle or get no DSL!). Where is the justice? And people wonder why people who are poor and struggling have bad attitudes?