| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 1:55 pm |
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Business 
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Verizon landline sale advances The Everett City Council and other local governmental bodies approve the transfer to Frontier Communications, but the deal still needs the OK from state and federal regulators. EVERETT — A pending sale of Verizon Communications Inc.’s landlines in the Northwest is clearing political hurdles in Washington state, despite concerns that the purchasing company might be taking on more than it can handle.Connecticut-based Frontier Communications bought 4.8 million phone lines from Verizon earlier this year, but the sale won’t be final until it’s approved by state and federal regulators. The deal includes an exchange of about 518,000 landline customers in Snohomish County and other parts of northwest Washington. So far, the plan seems to be meeting with favor from the leaders of cities affected by the change. The Everett City Council voted to approve the transfer Thursday — the latest in a string of affirmative votes from cities including Bothell, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Mukilteo. “Everett is the 16th city in Washington to determine that Frontier is fully qualified to provide TV service to its residents, based on Frontier’s network expertise, its focus on customer service and its financial strength,” Verizon spokesman Job Davies said. The Snohomish County Council unanimously approved the sale earlier this month. Frontier is trying to grow its rural service area. But it has a lot to prove — mainly that it can handle sudden growth that would triple the company’s size. Other Verizon sales left a lot of fodder for criticism. Hawaiian Telcom Communications and FairPoint Communications recently bought up Verizon land lines in Hawaii and New England, but the companies struggled under the weight of added service accounts. Hawaiian Telcom declared bankruptcy in 2008, and FairPoint sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month. Union representatives have been some of the most vocal opponents, saying residents and businesses will be the ones who suffer if that pattern emerges again. “Verizon should not be allowed to walk away with $3.3 billion tax free while leaving consumers and workers to pick up the pieces if Frontier falters,” said Ray Egelhoff, business manager for the Northwest chapter of the telecommunications union. “Now is the time for regulators to blow the whistle on corporate greed and just say no to this deal.” The State Utilities and Transportation Commission will likely vote on the sale next month. The commission’s staff recommended that regulators vote against the sale, saying consumers don’t stand to benefit from the deal. The staff recommendation also cited concerns that Frontier has a lower credit rating than Verizon, so it will have to operate with higher costs in Washington state. The $8.6 billion deal involves landlines in 14 states, and has been green-lighted by the U.S. Department of Justice. Verizon officials said the plan was also approved by regulators in some other states, including California and Nevada. The Federal Communications Commission will also have to sign off on the sale before it’s complete. |
- The Kid (Griffey) strikes again!
- Teams from Snohomish County join in search for Colton Harris-Moore on Orcas
- State changes mind on how to handle Darrington graves in highway right-of-way
- Woman gets 17 months for lies, bribery
- Car thief eludes Everett police
- Frontier: Things aren’t that bad
- Everett plans big upgrades for city parks
- Suspects sought in Snohomish shooting
- Riders take to Community Transit's Swift buses
- Once again, Colton Harris-Moore eludes capture
- Monroe girl guilty of murder in Sultan gang slaying
(23) - State changes mind on how to handle Darrington graves in highway right-of-way (14)
- Police step up hunt for Colton Harris-Moore on Orcas Island (12)
- Teams from Snohomish County join in search for Colton Harris-Moore on Orcas (10)
- Riders take to Community Transit's Swift buses (10)
- Everett plans big upgrades for city parks (9)
- Senate eyeing smaller sales tax hike (6)
- Woman gets 17 months for lies, bribery (5)
- Census distrust misplaced (4)
- 15 arrested for drunken driving on St. Patrick's Day (4)
- Archbishop Murphy graduate happy to be in San Jose
- Troupe improv-ment
- Best finish ever for Mavs
- Local businesses clean for a reason
- Edmonds Art Walk opens 9th year March 18
- Lynnwood girls wrap up at state
- Lynnwood wants outsider to review budget
- SKCC presents premiere of Jenkins’ composition
- Boeing to Offer NewGen Tanker to US Air Force
- New CEO at Valley General Hospital
- Dan Koffman's ‘TopSpin' marketing astounds, inspires, motivates, produces — just for starters
- Economic forecasts for Snohomish County, Everett, Marysville offer some bright moments
- Government officials influencing home prices
- Massive EPA energy regulations meet challenge
- Washington state healthcare reforms also needed
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