AUGUSTA – The Maine Public Utilities Commission is inviting the public to make comments and give opinions on the telephone service and performance of Verizon Maine, formerly, Bell Atlantic or NYNEX.

The Maine PUC has set up “public witness” hearings in four locations throughout the state. Verizon customers are invited and encouraged to tell the commission about Verizon’s service and the company’s performance as the principal provider of telecommunication services in Maine.

At each meeting, customers will have the opportunity to make a statement on, or off, the record about Verizon service, and any need for improvement. The meetings will be held at the following locations:

. Portland, 6 p.m. Jan. 18, City Hall, second floor, State of Maine Room, 389 Congress St.;

. Augusta, 6 p.m. Jan. 23, PUC Hearing Room, 242 State St.;

. Presque Isle, 6 p.m. Jan. 25, Northeastland Hotel, ballroom,

436 Main St.; and

. Bangor, 6 p.m. Jan. 30, Civic Center, lecture room, 100 Dutton St.

The purpose of the four public witness hearings is to enable the commission to hear from Verizon customers about whether Verizon can do a better job of providing telephone service in Maine, and how the pricing of regulated service (i.e. basic exchange) should be accomplished.

Public witness hearing participants may give either sworn or unsworn testimony:

Sworn testimony is part of the official record of the case and is reviewed by the commission before it makes its final decision. An oath is required before presenting sworn testimony, stating that the testimony to be presented is the truth.

Unsworn testimony will not be part of the official case record, but can provide the basis for further MPUC investigation. A person who provides unsworn testimony also may want to provide a written statement of any personal views about the case.