Today, May 16, the FCC approved the Verizon/Frontier merger. The Commission's order approving the transaction stated: "Overall, we find that there are no potential transaction-related public interest harms and that there are some likely publicinterest benefits from this Transaction." As the agency's order explained: "[W]e conclude that Verizon is more likely to invest in and improve service quality in the Transaction market areas than Frontier would absent the Transaction. While the record indicates that Frontier has deployed fiber, no commenter disputes that it does not have funding in place for enhanced investment and additional fiber buildouts." The FCC's approval of Verizon's acquisition of Frontier means that fiber will reach more Americans – sooner.
Credit is due to Chairman Brendan Carr and to staff in the Commission's bureaus who were involved in the review proceeding and prepared the Verizon/Frontier Order. Congratulations also are due to Verizon and Frontier. Hopefully, the consummation of the merger will accelerate fiber broadband deployment to Americans across the country.
Also, the order stated the Commission accepts Verizon's commitment to reform its internal practices, and that the agency "expect[s] that these changes will prevent DEI discrimination in the post-transaction company, as consistent with the law and the public interest."
On the merits, approval of Verizon/Frontier is an easy call. Even so, the FCC's decision was right – and it was reached without excessive complications or undue delays. The Commission completed its review of Verizon/Frontier on day 189, just 9 days above the agency's informal shot clock.