"Doug Miller" wrote in message

This is _absolute_proof_ that the problem is either with your wiring, or
your
phones, and not in *their* wiring. The Verizon guy was right to shrug his
shoulders and leave: not his problem, no reason he should know how to fix
it.
Or try.

Yes, there is. In the original post, the OP said he has a maintenance
agreement for the inside wiring. It is an option with most phone companies
for a couple of bucks a month.