The New Jersey state commission will increase pricing rules across residential telephone services that may get Version some relief and also make it possible for the carrier to increase its prices up to 36 percent or higher for POTS (plain old telephone service).

The agreement Verizon is getting into with the Bureau of Public Utilities (BPU) of New Jersey lets carriers raise rates to a fixed amount of $6, a service rate cap that will continue only for five years. However, after five years Verizon’s services will no longer be subject to regulation and will not require any BPU approval to set landline rates.

AARP New Jersey associate director Evelyn Liebman shared that this landlines telephone service is a necessity for all, but more importantly for people who are 65 years or older.

The New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel director Stefanie Brand told NJ.com that “deregulate” is just a word to reclassify Verizon’s services that would no longer require BPU approval to maintain and repair its landline phone lines.

Verizon stated that none of its competitors is compelled to get the BPU’s approval for rate changes. Verizon is not the only service provider in New Jersey and consumers, therefore, have the choice to switch providers if their expectations are not met, shared spokesperson Lee Giercynski.

In 2012, in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, the carrier rolled out Voice Link wireless service to the barrier island area and decided not to replace its legacy copper infrastructure in Mantoloking, N.J. Fire Island is a place where it took similar actions. However, with the attorney general filing for an injunction to stop the move, they planned to roll out Voice Link in the Catskills region, which set off alarm bells and attracted criticism. Finally, the carrier announced that Fire Island would get FiOS (fiber-to-the-home service).