Somebody's Going to Have to Die or Move--A GIS Analysis of Telephone Service Quality in California

Author: Linette Scherer Young
Organization: California Public Utilities Commission

505 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102
USA

Phone: 415-703-2806
Fax: 415-703-1981
lsy@cpuc.ca.gov

This paper introduces the concept and methodology of using GIS to monitor the telephone service quality provided by local exchange carriers in California. This study came about as a result of a record number of complaints to the CPUC during 1997 and 1998. The data for this study came from a database derived from the complaints and data from a survey designed specifically for the current study. The analysis exposed a number of significant infrastructure-related problems in specific areas of Pacific Bell's network. The analysis revealed compelling evidence to suggest that current regulatory policy may contribute to these problems.