Verizon, XO Say no Hearing Needed on Deal in Pennsylvania
Verizon and XO Communications urged quick approval by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission of the telecom companies' transaction. In a prehearing memo Wednesday, the companies said 12 of 16 other state commissions have approved the deal, and they expect the…
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remaining four to complete their review quickly without hearings. “There is no reason for Pennsylvania to fall behind the other states in approving this transaction,” they said. The companies proposed a schedule under which the PUC wouldn't hold hearings, issue an initial decision Aug. 5 and vote at a Sept. 1 public meeting. The deal will expand and enhance Verizon’s fiber facilities, with benefits for the company’s wireless network, and current XO customers will gain access to Verizon products and services, the companies said. But in a separate memo, intervenor Core Communications said there should be a hearing to weigh possible anticompetitive effects vs. public benefits. Core itself didn’t take a position on that question. But another intervenor, the Pennsylvania Office of Small Business Advocate, said the deal raises “several” concerns, including possible ill effects to prices, that may require the PUC to either reject the deal or approve it with conditions. Verizon, Core and OSBA said they're open to settlement discussions. Earlier this week, Verizon defended its planned XO acquisition against EarthLink and Windstream at the New York Public Service Commission (see 1606150014). Verizon plans to respond to the Maryland PSC request by the deadline, a company spokesman said.