PSB Done Hearing Arguments over Verizon / FairPoint Deal - Now they just have to look at the facts and make a decision

PSB Done Hearing Arguments over Verizon / FairPoint Deal
Now they just have to look at the facts and make a decision
(old news - 02:26PM Saturday Nov 03 2007)
tags: business · cable · Verizon Online DSL · Fairpoint Communications

Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont have been afire with debate about the potential sale of Verizon’s landline system to FairPoint Communications. Verizon union workers have spoken out against the deal, analysts have offered suggestions about cautious methods of moving forward and parties on both sides have made their arguments to the officials who will ultimately make a decision on the deal. FairPoint’s arguments are now over; Friday was the last day for the company to speak their case to Vermont state legislators.

“FairPoint has worked diligently to respond to the concerns raised by the Department and has substantially agreed to the vast majority of the Department's proposed conditions. Where agreement is not possible, FairPoint has offered reasonable qualifications or alternative proposals that attempt to address the Department's concerns.”

Many aren’t soothed by FairPoint’s response. It doesn’t help that they reported a loss of over $5 million for the third quarter. The state Public Service Department has recommended over 50 conditions to be imposed if the deal is allowed to move forward. A final decision should come before the end of the year.

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Forums » PSB Done Hearing Arguments over Verizon / FairPoint Deal


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TKJunkMail
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Conditions are designed to kill the sale

The state's Department of Public Service's conditions are nothing but a poison pill designed to kill off the deal. But the Public Service Board is an independent agency that can approve it no matter what the governor's DPS( »publicservice.vermont.gov/divisi···com.html ) wants.

It will be interesting to see how independent the PSB( »www.state.vt.us/psb/site/mission.stm ) really is, and if they will approve the deal despite opposition by Vermont's governor.

Web page concerning the FairPoint hearings at the PSB:
»www.state.vt.us/psb/document/727···main.htm
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permalink · 2007-11-03 15:14:08 · Print ·

Rampower15 @verizon.net	Re: Conditions are designed to kill the sale THERE ARE NO FIOS IN MAINE BY VERIZON!!!! Whoever states otherwise is full of shit!!
	permalink · 2007-11-06 19:49:18 ·

swintec Premium join:2003-12-19 Alfred, ME	What If It Doesnt Go Through? Can we finally expect at least SOME FiOs deployment here in Maine if the deal does not go through? -- BlockNews.Net- Quality Usenet Block And Unlimited Accounts
	permalink · 2007-11-03 17:28:50 ·

davoice join:2000-08-12 Saxapahaw, NC ·Comporium	Re: What If It Doesnt Go Through? said by swintec : Can we finally expect at least SOME FiOs deployment here in Maine if the deal does not go through? Can you expect it to snow in Key West? Heck no. Verizon will simply use it as a big pizzing match to prove how big and strong they are and how "wrong" the state was for trying to make them do something. }Davoice
	permalink · 2007-11-03 17:34:33 · Print ·

swintec
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Re: What If It Doesnt Go Through?

Maybe, maybe not. They have already fibered (word?) up parts of NH so I would expect them to continue this. I'm in southern Maine which, if they were to lay fiber, would be the place it would be done. The copper lines have aged quite a bit and are getting to the point where they are needing lots of TLC. (so says a Verizon repair guy)....If they are going to be forced tohold onto the system, you would think they would maximize its potential. People are FLOCKING to digital phone so they will have to do something unless they want to own a copper network that doesnt get used.
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permalink · 2007-11-03 17:41:43 · Print ·

davoice

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Re: What If It Doesnt Go Through?

Nah... based on Verizon's historical corporate arrogance, I'd fully expect them to turn Maine into a whipping boy. And they'll use it at every opportunity to show other states why they shouldn't pull the same stunt. That's the same technique they used to railroad FiOS TV into states that were resistant to statewide video franchising.

Big Daddy Verizon gets what big daddy wants - or everyone pays. Vinnie from the Bronx will be around to shatter your knee caps later. Tell him I said hello. /sarc

}Davoice

permalink · 2007-11-03 17:47:39 · Print ·

publius

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Re: What If It Doesnt Go Through?

davoice, your dazzling display of a complete lack of knowledge is astounding.

Verizon reported a 8% line loss this year. That was after a slowing down of line loss in recent years. Cable internet companies have just announced that they plan to offer DOCSIS 3.0 within two to three years which is designed to specifically compete against Fiber based technologies. As much as Verizon would be pissed they would be doing no favors to themselves if they ignored either state. Think it through, if its all about the money, and if they would only continue to lose money by not upgrading their plant, then they would have to suck it up and invest. They have no other company to sell to, fairpoint was last on the list, so they will have to deal with reality and spend. also keep in mind that they have really brought to light everything that have done or not done to piss off the PUC's in all three states. when the deal doesn't pass, the puc's will not let verizon float as they have these past eight years.
Is everyone from north carolina arrogant and idiotic at the same time?

permalink · 2007-11-03 21:23:42 · Print ·

tschmidt
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Re: What If It Doesnt Go Through?

To add to what publius posted if the deal falls through I'm sure the respective State PUCs will provide some sweeteners to Verizon.

I often wonder if this might not have been the plan all along. Threaten to sell off assets to extract regulatory concessions. The concern I have is the regulatory regimes tend to be focused on yesterday's technology - making sure everyone is able to get wired phone service. I realize this is controversial but over time high speed Internet access will be deemed as much a necessity as phone service is today. When Bell invented the phone he initially had difficulty attracting investors because no one appreciated the value of speaking to someone at a distance, rather then in person.

In Verizon's defense if it costs more to wire up rural states then they ought to be able to recoup that cost.

/tom

permalink · 2007-11-03 22:12:46 · Print ·

patcat88

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said by davoice

said by swintec

:

Can we finally expect at least SOME FiOs deployment here in Maine if the deal does not go through?

Can you expect it to snow in Key West? Heck no. Verizon will simply use it as a big pizzing match to prove how big and strong they are and how "wrong" the state was for trying to make them do something.

}Davoice

Let Maine propose or try to get funded a muni state wide FTTH network and watch how quickly VZ will pick up their act. I dont think a mis-information PR campaign will work when the citizens voting ARE ON DIALUP. Any redneck will know "Mah Internet Iz Slow as s**t". So cable and telco can't defeat it by PR campaigns.

permalink · 2007-11-04 09:43:38 · Print ·

soothsayer15 join:2002-03-01 Irving, TX 1 edit	Verizon already has FIOS in some parts of Maine around Bangor. So I guess we'll see that snow in the Florida Keys soon.
	permalink · 2007-11-03 22:32:31 ·

swintec
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1 edit

Re: What If It Doesnt Go Through?

said by soothsayer15

:

Verizon already has FIOS in some parts of Maine around Bangor. So I guess we'll see that snow in the Florida Keys soon.

I don't believe that is Verizon...I think one of the smaller ILEC's ran some fiber for there customers. However I could be mistaken. Around Bangor is far from where Verizon would launch fiber, they would hit the coastal market of Wells and York where there is mucho $$$$ to be had.

EDIT-- I believe you are referring to these guys: »www.isp-planet.com/resources/bac···rks.html
»www.oxfordnetworks.com/resi_high···net.html
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permalink · 2007-11-03 22:48:39 · Print ·

soothsayer15 join:2002-03-01 Irving, TX 2 edits	Re: What If It Doesnt Go Through? No, it IS Verizon. But of course, you know it better than my eyes do. Franklin County is one place, FYI.
	permalink · 2007-11-03 23:16:36 ·

jebba2005 join:2005-01-13 Portland, ME	Re: What If It Doesnt Go Through? Franklin County. Kingfield area? What town?
	permalink · 2007-11-04 00:56:43 ·

swintec
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said by soothsayer15

:

Franklin County is one place, FYI.

Where did you get this information?? I just have a very hard time believing this given the area up there, not to mention there is little to nothing mentioned about it in searches except what is being done by Oxford networks in the downtown Bangor and Norway area.....Then there is plans for WiMax »gigaom.com/2003/12/28/maine-town···l-wimax/ Are you getting your info from Verizons FiOS's availability website?
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permalink · 2007-11-04 01:10:34 · Print ·

elbm join:2000-08-03 Reisterstown, MD ·Verizon FIOS 1 edit	Snot- Where have you been? Puke- I have been in Maine; I met a girl. Snot- Bangor? Puke- No I just met her. Could not resist with the Bangor mention-- a one liner from my favorite Renn fest comedians. »www.magaga.com/
	permalink · 2007-11-04 01:28:43 ·

a333 A hot cup of integrals please join:2007-06-12 Rego Park, NY	Re: What If It Doesnt Go Through? they have phones in Maine? I thought they were still using tin cans and strings, lol.
	permalink · 2007-11-04 15:46:25 ·

VzWorkerdude @verizon.com	Maine & Fios There is NO Fios in Maine. That's it. Very simple and from a VZ worker. We have fiber all over the place, but not Fios.
	permalink · 2007-11-05 15:33:31 ·

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Conditions are designed to kill the sale

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Maine & Fios