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Contact: Ryan Lippe
(614) 466-7269

OCC urges Frontier and Verizon customers to testify at additional PUCO local public hearings

COLUMBUS, Ohio – September 17, 2009 – The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) is encouraging consumers of Frontier Communications Corporation and Verizon Communications, Inc. to attend and testify at newly-scheduled additional local public hearings regarding the companies’ proposed merger of local landline telephone service.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has scheduled three additional public hearings for consumers to express their opinions. The additional hearings have been scheduled as follows:

• Troy, Oct. 6, 6 p.m., Miami County Safety Building, 201 W. Main St.
• Athens, Oct. 7, 6 p.m., Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St.
• Norwalk, Oct. 8, 6 p.m., Ernsthausen Community Center, 100 Republic St.

“Verizon local telephone customers will have three additional areas to express their opinions at a public hearing,” said Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander. “We encourage residential customers to voice their opinions about the proposed merger as well as any concerns such as the quality of their home telephone service. Decision-makers need to hear from customers who would be directly impacted by this proposed merger.”

In June, the OCC suggested hearings be held in Ashland, Athens, Bowling Green, Bryan, Celina, Marion, New Philadelphia, Norwalk, Port Clinton, Portsmouth and Troy so current customers of both companies may conveniently express their opinions. The PUCO has held hearings in Marion, New Philadelphia and Portsmouth.

At the local public hearings, consumers can give sworn testimony which will become part of the official case and be considered as the PUCO commissioners make a decision. The OCC staff will attend representing residential customers of Frontier and Verizon and be available to the media for interviews.

In comments filed at the PUCO, the OCC requested the merger be denied, citing the lack of consumer benefits and potential pitfalls of a merger of the two companies’ traditional landline telephone businesses. If the merger is to be approved, the OCC believes conditions should be required, including making broadband service available to 90 percent of Verizon’s current residential customers in three years and 100 percent in five years; eliminating the $1.25 monthly Access Recovery Charge that Verizon currently charges residential customers; and maintaining and improving service quality.

Consumers who cannot attend a public hearing can write a letter to the PUCO. All letters and envelopes should reference Case No. 09-454-TP-ACO and be sent to: Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Attn: Docketing Division, 180 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215.

About the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, represents the interests of 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. The state agency also educates consumers about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues and resolves complaints from individuals. To receive utility information, brochures, schedule a presentation or file a utility complaint, residential consumers may call 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free in Ohio or visit the OCC Web site at www.pickocc.org.