Frontier, Verizon telephone merger needs scrutiny, local public hearings

June 10, 2009

A proposed merger of Frontier Communication Corporation and Verizon Communications, Inc. that could affect approximately 435,000 Ohioans’ residential landline service requires scrutiny before being authorized in Ohio. The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) said today consumer input, including public hearings, and a close examination by state regulators is necessary.

Frontier and Verizon filed their merger request May 29. Under Ohio law, the merger is automatically approved if the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) fails to suspend the process within 30 days of the application...