STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Frontier Communications Corporation (NYSE:FTR) today announced that Verizon Northwest Inc. has received all local franchise approvals from authorities in Washington state and Oregon that are required to transfer control of local cable TV franchises from Verizon Communications to Frontier. In addition to several independent local authorities, three cable consortia unanimously approved the transfer: the Metropolitan Area Cable Commission (MACC); the Mount Hood Cable Regulatory Commission (MHCRC); and the Verizon/Frontier Transfer Consortium in Washington. Under the approvals, Frontier will be required to meet certain conditions for the transfers to become effective.
The 41 approvals relate to the transaction between Frontier and Verizon Communications, announced May 13, 2009, that includes Verizon’s local exchange businesses in 14 states, including parts of California, and certain customer relationships for long distance services, broadband Internet access and broadband video. The transaction is still subject to certain conditions, including approval by The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, The Public Utility Commission of Oregon, utility regulators in four other states and the Federal Communications Commission. Hearings have been completed in all states except Washington, which is scheduled to hold hearings next week. Frontier has already received approvals from the California Public Utilities Commission, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada and the Public Service Commission of South Carolina.
“We are very pleased to have obtained all required local transfer approvals in such a timely fashion,” said Steven Crosby, Senior Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs for Frontier. “This is an important step towards providing great services, continued upgrade of broadband in many communities and delivering an excellent customer experience. Local leaders in Oregon and Washington have given a strong vote of confidence to Frontier’s financial strength, network technology and customer-first approach, and we look forward to serving them.”
The local authorities in Washington state that approved the franchise transfers to Frontier are Bothell, Brier, Camas, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Redmond, Shoreline, Snohomish County, Washougal, Woodinville, Woodway, Everett, Kenmore and Kirkland.
In Oregon, the approving local authorities are Damascus, Dundee, McMinnville, Cornelius, Rivergrove, Durham, Wilsonville, Newberg, Beaverton, Gresham, Sherwood, Fairview, King City, Clackamas County, Forest Grove, Wood Village, Troutdale, Tigard, Washington County, Hillsboro, Happy Valley, Tualatin and Lake Oswego.
