A Republican legislator from Maine came out in favor of FairPoint Communications' proposed $2.7 billion acquisition of Verizon Communications properties in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. House Minority leader Josh Tardy said at a public hearing on the proposal that FairPoint should be praised for the commitments it's making to customers in the region to upgrade broadband service after the deal closes.
However, it's that commitment that some critics of the deal say is too big for FairPoint to handle. This acquisition has drawn much controversy already, but did receive approval from regulators in Virginia and Illinois, where FairPoint also operates. Following public hearings in Maine this week, regulators in New Hampshire plan to do the same next month.
For more:
- Read this story in The Boston Globe