Verizon POTS line - having Verizon unfreeze and set PIC code

Hello,

This is in regard to old-school POTS (copper) landlines.

When dialing long distance, we get "fast busy". Our long distance company said that Verizon, the local carrier, has the PIC code set incorrectly on the line. It needs to be set to 0555.

For context, if you remember numbers like 10-10-555-1-area code-number, the 0555 part is the PIC code and overrides the long distance company for that call. By having Verizon set the PIC code, it chooses which long distance company to use when just 1-area code-number is dialed. We're still able to fax by putting 10-10-555 in front, in fact.

A "PIC freeze" could be requested from Verizon, to stop "slamming" where your long distance company was changed without your permission. For example, if you entered a sweepstakes, the fine print might say you agree to use a long distance company with exhorbitant rates; the PIC freeze stopped that from happening.

With that history lesson out of the way, the issue is we need any PIC freeze removed, and the PIC code set to 0555 on our line. When calling Verizon Support, no one knows what a PIC code is or how to set one. If you search the forum, other customers have had the same issue. Please answer how to escalate to a part of Verizon service who understands landlines, or DM for contact information.

Accepted answers

dexman

I would try contacting the Verizon Business Office and explain that you have a traditional landline that has a freeze put on the line so that the long-distance carrier cannot be changed. You would now like to change long distance service providers, but in order to do that, the freeze must be removed.

If/when you're able to sign up for Verizon Fios, and order landline service on that platform, you'll automatically be assigned Verizon as your long-distance carrier if you have residential service (like I do).

My church has Fios Business service with two telephone lines. Unlike residential service, business customers can utilize 101xxxx dial-arounds to access alternate providers.

But, in any event, Verizon is in the process of retiring legacy Bell System OSP copper infrastructure within its service area. Eventually copper telephone service will end.

All comments

SynthpopAddict

If it's a copper landline, the infrastructure for that is being phased out. It was supposed to happen around 2026 originally, but the timeline has been moved out to around 2027-2029 where traditional landlines will be retired. With the FCC no longer requiring any carriers to maintain the traditional POTS technology, I don't think you're going to get a fix for the problem. If you haven't switched to either a fiber POTS line or VoIP landline service, another option is getting a gadget which runs off the cell phone towers, but allows you to hook up a landline phone to it.

dexman

retiredphonedude

Well, I've kind'a been ignoring this one, but decided to throw out my two cents. I had CenturyLink POTS for years and was using another LD carrier, they then changed policy to where you had to use their LD service, no PIC, no choice. This would have increased my bill to around $80 a month. That's when I looked into Verizon's wireless home phone service, which I had to upgrade a few years ago due to the retirement of 3G. I've had the LVP2 wireless home phone for quite a while, 30 bucks a month (rounded) which includes LD. Sound quality is great and have never had any major issues with it and it's much cheaper than my fiber services phone service and a heck of a lot cheaper than POTS. I would suggest to anyone who has a decent cell signal to look into one of the wireless home phone providers. In my opinion it's better than the VoIP services offered by 3rd party vendors. That's my two cents, change available.

ceresvillenh

Thank you for the ideas. This is a fax line. We put up a sign by the machine about dialing 10-10-555 and everyone who needs to fax has picked up on it quickly, so we've given up on this. We also tried an MD PSC compliant and that didn't help either.

SynthpopAddict

Even if it's a fax machine, if it's going through a copper landline, eventually it's going to stop working, since nobody is maintaining the traditional POTS infrastructure. My dad's copper POTS home phone line (via Blue Logo Place) completely died over a year ago, and Blue Logo Place wasn't going to fix it. He switched to fiber POTS which is rather expensive. ("You realize you can get pretty good cell phone service for that kind of money and there's probably a bundle discount for your home internet, and your current mobile line if you convert the landline to another mobile line with them?" "Your mom doesn't like cell phones." 🙄)

Since this is a business line, I'd check into whatever VoIP providers are out there as it seems those companies would cater to business needs. Back when I had a VoIP landline via my ISP, it was about $30/month, but that was a few years ago. But it's likely still cheaper than fiber POTS.

ceresvillenh

Yeah. We've had a PBX running over Comcast Business Voice (no FiOS available) since 2012. At that time we kept the alarm and fax machine on POTS. As this is an increasingly relevant issue I assume Comcast is well familiar with tweaking the compression or whatever is needed to fax at this point. Since setting this up I got FiOS Digital Voice metered service at home and can fax over it.