The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) has issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order approving Verizon Communications Inc.’s (Verizon) $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. (Frontier). The Bureau has granted a series of applications to transfer control of domestic and international section 214 authorizations and wireless licenses held by wholly-owned subsidiaries of Frontier to Verizon. The FCC has not found any material transaction-related public interest harms arising from the proposed transfer of control. Additionally, the Commission has concluded that certain public interest benefits are likely to be realized as a result of the merger, including the upgrading and expansion of Frontier’s fiber network.
Following approval of the merger, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr issued a statement stating that approving this transaction will allow Verizon to upgrade and expand Frontier’s existing network in 25 states. Additionally, Chairman Carr stated that Verizon has committed to “ending DEI-related practices.”
