CWA Presses FCC To Seek More Data From Verizon, Frontier on Planned Deal
The Communications Workers of America urged the FCC to require Verizon and Frontier to submit more information about Verizon's proposed sale to Frontier of local wireline systems in California, Florida and Texas, according to an ex parte filing posted Friday…
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in docket 15-44 on a meeting CWA officials had with FCC staffers. In its filing, CWA said because state regulators have no authority in Florida and only limited authority in Texas, regulatory oversight of the deal affecting 6 million customers "falls heavily on the shoulders of the FCC." Because Verizon and Frontier hadn't given the FCC the information it needs to do its public-interest review, CWA said, the FCC should issue a comprehensive data request to the applicants for more information on: (1) Verizon FiOS and other broadband deployment and upgrade plans for the lines subject to the deal; (2) retail and wholesale service performance, including Frontier's staffing plans for the next five years; (3) the claimed synergies producing $700 million in savings; (4) Frontier financial and operational projections; (5) the details of the planned conversion of Verizon's operations to Frontier's systems; (6) Verizon's transition commitments to engage in capital spending and marketing prior to close of the deal; (7) employment ramifications, including job projections for the next four years; and (8) the transfer of assets and liabilities from Verizon to Frontier, including customer accounts, network assets, equipment, job functions, job titles and pensions. A Frontier spokeswoman wouldn't comment on the CWA filing. A Verizon spokesman didn't respond to our queries.