MEDIA ADVISORY: Public invited to comment on transfer of control of Ziply Fiber Northwest to Bell Canada

Public comment hearing scheduled for July 16

LACEY, Wash. - The Utilities and Transportation Commission is holding a virtual public comment hearing to gather input on the potential transfer of control of Ziply Fiber Northwest, LLC (Ziply) to Bell Canada's BCE Holding Company (BCE).

WHO

Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

WHAT

Virtual public comment hearing

WHEN and WHERE

6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Join by Zoom (recommended) or by phone 253-215-8782 and use Meeting ID: 822 5650 2346# and Passcode: 563628#.

You can also submit public comments:

• online,

• by telephone at 888-333-9882,

• by email at [email protected], and

• by mail to P.O Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250

Translation services are available at no cost to you. If possible, please inform the commission at least 5-7 business days before the meeting by calling 360-664-1149 or emailing [email protected].

For accommodation requests, please contact the UTC at least 5-7 business days before the meeting by calling 888-333-9882 or emailing [email protected].

BACKGROUND

In December 2024, Northwest Fiber Holdco, LLC (doing business as Ziply) and BCE filed a joint application for an order approving the transfer of control of Ziply to BCE. In their application, the companies stated a shared vision of increased fiber internet availability in Washington state, especially in rural areas.

Kirkland-based Ziply Fiber Northwest, LLC provides high-speed Internet to over 1.3 million fiber locations across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Bell Canada is Canada's largest telecommunications provider with nearly eight million fiber locations throughout the country.

The UTC regulates the rates and services of investor-owned electric utilities, telecommunications companies, natural gas and water companies, solid waste collection companies, household-goods movers and passenger transportation companies, commercial ferries, pipeline companies, marine pilotage, and a low-level radioactive waste repository. The commission does not regulate the rates of broadband services, cellular, cable, or Internet service.

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