Owlett, Pickett Comment on PUC Approval of Verizon’s Acquisition of Frontier Communications

September 18, 2025

HARRISURG - Reps. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) and Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming) responded today to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's (PUC) approval of a joint settlement for Verizon Communications to acquire Frontier Communications.

"Consumers in the Northern Tier deserve high-quality, reliable telephone and internet services, and we have been fighting together for that over the last several years," Owlett said. "It won't happen overnight, but I hope Verizon's acquisition of Frontier will finally help us reach that goal."

"Thanks in part to the feedback we provided at public input hearings earlier this year, the acquisition agreement includes requiring Verizon to fulfill the obligations of last year's settlement with Frontier," Pickett said. "That means Verizon must address system maintenance issues, boost staffing levels and improve customer service."

The lawmakers emphasized: "We expect Verizon to deliver on its promises and will monitor the quality of services to our communities."

The acquisition is the latest chapter in a long journey for Frontier customers.

In fall 2022, after receiving an increasing volume of complaints from constituents, Owlett and Pickett gathered testimonials from Frontier customers in the Northern Tier and presented the information to the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA), which joined with the Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA) to file a formal complaint with the PUC about Frontier's failure to provide reliable services.

In May 2024, the PUC approved a settlement agreement between Frontier and OCA and OSBA that required Frontier to make a series of investments to address system maintenance issues, including long-neglected wire centers and remote terminal batteries that help ensure continued service, as well as customer service concerns, including staffing levels and a new consumer hotline.

In October 2024, Frontier and Verizon filed joint application asking for PUC-approval of Verizon's acquisition of 100% ownership of Frontier. For this estimated $20 billion acquisition to take place, Verizon and Frontier would have to obtain approval from the Federal Communications Commission and the PUC, along with similar commissions in other affected states. The FCC approved the plan in May; approval is still pending in a few affected states.

According to the PUC, key consumer protections and improvements in the settlement include:
• Welcome Letter and Customer Transition - Verizon will send a welcome letter to Frontier customers within 45 days of closing, providing important service and payment information.
• Discounted Broadband Access - Verizon will extend its "Verizon Forward" discounted broadband program to qualifying low-income households in the Frontier service territory for at least four years, with protections against reduced eligibility or discount value.
• Network Audit and Modernization Plan - Verizon will complete a detailed audit of Frontier's copper and fiber networks within 10 months of closing, identify problem areas, and develop a multi-year plan to rehabilitate and modernize facilities, including detailed reporting to the PUC, OCA and OSBA.
• Plant Maintenance Program - Verizon will establish a formal maintenance program to track and address infrastructure conditions, with commitments to resolve at least 75% of reported issues within 90 days.
• Public Reporting and Transparency - Verizon will file public versions of audit and implementation plans, along with annual reports on fiber deployment and capital expenditures in Pennsylvania.
• Rate Cap Protection - Tariffed rates for residential and small business customers in Frontier service areas are capped until Jan. 1, 2028 (except for government-imposed tax/surcharge changes).
• Broad Horizons Lot Owners' Association (BHLA) Commitments - Verizon will conduct a targeted study of conditions in Sullivan County's Broad Horizons community and complete necessary improvements, with monthly updates to the community and consumer advocates.
• Continuation of Frontier Obligations - Verizon will honor Frontier's state and federal broadband commitments under programs such as the Rural Development Opportunity Fund (RDOF) and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program (BEAD).