Greetings,

PUCO has set locations and times for three more public hearings regarding Verizon's proposed sale of its wireline, long distance and broadband assets to Frontier.  The Fourth District is encouraging you to express your concerns to PUCO at these public hearings. Please share this message with your family and friends, as it is so important to all Ohio residents, not just IBEW brothers and sisters.

If you are able to attend one of these hearings and would like a prepared statement or talking points, please respond to this email or contact the district office.

Hearing locations and times:

October 6, 2009, 6:00p.m.

Miami County Commissioner's Hearing Room, Miami County Safety Building

201 W. Main St., 1st Floor

Troy, Ohio 45373

October 7, 2009, 6:00p.m.

Athens Community Center

701 E. State St., Suite 201

Athens, Ohio 45701

October 8, 2009, 6:00p.m.

Ernsthausen Community Center

100 Republic Street

Norwalk, Ohio 44857

Below you can find more information on the proposed sale:

The sale will give Verizon shareholders $5.3 billion in Frontier stock and give Verizon $3.3 billion in cash. Because of a tax loophole, Verizon will not pay taxes on the $3.3 billion they receive. The proposed transaction must be approved by the Federal Communications Commission and the state utility commissions in ten states. There are serious questions about Frontiers ability to successfully operate and fun a new company three times its size. The sale poses significant risks to consumers, workers and our communities. The risks overwhelm any possible benefits from the deal.

The Bottom Line: The risks of the sale to Frontier outweigh any supposed benefits

Frontier promises to increase capital expenditures; improve service quality; significantly expand broadband availability; provide wholesale services to Competitive Local Exchange Carriers and do it all right away at significantly less cost than one of the largest and most experienced telecom companies in the world. 

Typically when companies run into problems they cut capital expenditures, layoff workers and attempt to increase rates. Consumers risk higher rates and/or diminished service. Workers risk loss of jobs and benefits. Communities risk worse service quality, diminished ability to respond to emergencies and less build out of the high speed Internet needed for development.