Northern Tier News

A group of Pennsylvania state lawmakers is encouraging customers of Frontier and Verizon Communications to express their views on the proposed merger between the two companies. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) will host a series of hearings to gather public input.

The in-person hearings are scheduled for Monday, February 10, at 6 p.m. at George A. Smith Middle School Auditorium in Quarryville, Lancaster County, and Thursday, February 13, at 6 p.m. at Wellsboro Fire Company Annex in Wellsboro, Tioga County. Telephonic hearings will occur on Thursday, February 20, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., with participants able to call toll-free at 866-759-6860 using PIN Number: 71568747.

Lawmakers suggest additional hearings may be arranged in Bradford County or Wyoming County.

Representatives Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming), Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford), Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne), and Joe Hamm (R-Lycoming/Sullivan) issued a statement emphasizing the need for improved service quality post-merger: “After years of dealing with poor service from Frontier, these customers deserve assurances they will be treated better by Verizon.”

They continued: “These are improvements the Office of Consumer Advocate and Office of Small Business Advocate successfully fought for on our behalf as part of their settlement with Frontier last year. We must ensure we preserve any progress we’ve made as a result of this settlement and hold Verizon accountable for building on that progress.”

The representatives urged customers to voice their expectations during the PUC hearings: “We are calling on customers of both Frontier and Verizon to come forward and let the PUC know what we need and expect out of this change of ownership.”

Registration to speak at the hearings is encouraged but not mandatory. Interested individuals can pre-register by contacting the Office of Administrative Law Judge via phone or email.

Frontier and Verizon announced their proposed merger last fall, with Verizon planning to acquire all Frontier’s assets nationwide for approximately $20 billion. The acquisition requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission, PUC, and similar bodies in other states.