John:
Like Greg said, Verizon's new FIOS division is not a part of their regulated utility. They are scrambling to get customers off of their regulated utility side and onto FIOS so that they aren't under the scrutiny (AKA: Regulated utility) rate structures. Once they get a customer away from the regulated side, they intentionally destroy any facilities that connect the building to the regulated network. The customer then falls under the variable pricing structures and loose rules such as those provided by satellite providers. Their installers are instructed to cut the buried drop wire where it emerges from the ground and in the case of aerial service, they are instructed to cut the drop wire down. That doesn't always happen.
I strongly suggest that anyone who subscribes to Verizon's FIOS or at&t's U-Verse service to insist upon keeping at lease one copper phone line so that they can't destroy your connectivity to the regulated network. Once that connection is gone, it becomes a case of anything goes.
Regardless of their being a regulated utility or not, the NEC's utility exemptions only apply to wiring done outside of the building. Everybody has to comply with NEC and other local rules once it comes inside. Verizon has no more authority to do inside wiring than you do and they must comply with the same requirements that you do. They are only exempt from NEC requirements until their cable(s) enter the building.
The State of New York has launched an investigation regarding the shoddy workmanship associated with installations performed by Verion's trunk slamming contractors. In the area where I live, most construction is newer and the utilities are underground for the most part. That has slowed the roll out of FIOS here. With that being said, their installations are still being done by real Verizon employees, not fly by night jack-legs..........For now. In older areas, Verizon can't get that fiber in the air fast enough. They are chomping at the bit to get customers off of their older copper facilities so that they don't have to rebuild or maintain them.
Oh and Greg: Sadly, BSPs are out the window. What was left of the Bell System is gone, as is the quality that BSPs represented. Bell System standards were much more strict than anything that the NEC has to offer, but that was then.....
