With the Oregon Public Utilities Commission's unanimous approval of the transfer of Verizon's local wireline holdings to Frontier, Oregon becomes the sixth state to approve the billion dollar deal.
Oregon's approval follows approvals by the Arizona Corporation Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the Public Service Commission of South Carolina. Interestingly, this approval comes after a number of state PUC staffers initially protested the deal.
Not surprisingly, Verizon's PR machine trumpeted the latest approval as a means to infuse more life into the region's broadband network. "Ultimately, this transaction will allow both companies to concentrate on their respective strengths," said Tim McCallion, president of Verizon's West region. "The benefits in Oregon will include increased broadband availability for consumers and small businesses that will be served by Frontier."
To complete the deal, Frontier still needs the blessing of regulators in Illinois, Washington and West Virginia, in addition to the FCC's approval. Frontier has also received cable television franchise approval from the 41 communities the company will serve in Oregon and Washington State.
For more:
- see the release here
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