SAN FRANCISCO – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is holding in-person and virtual Public Forums to hear what consumers think about Verizon Communications Inc.’s and Frontier Communications’ request for Verizon to acquire Frontier’s California operations.
About the Proceeding
In October 2024, Verizon and Frontier submitted a joint application to the CPUC seeking approval for Verizon to acquire Frontier and its California subsidiaries. The proposed transfer includes Frontier’s incumbent local exchange carriers and long-distance subsidiaries. If approved, Verizon would assume all of Frontier’s existing regulatory obligations, including service commitments tied to the California Advanced Services Fund, Federal Funding Account, federal Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I grants, and Carrier of Last Resort and California LifeLine responsibilities.
The CPUC is reviewing the request to determine whether it is in the public interest. This includes assessing the potential impacts on service quality, competition, financial stability, and long-term benefits to customers and communities. The CPUC will also evaluate whether Verizon can maintain or improve upon Frontier’s current obligations and services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Join us at a Public Forum
Public Forums (formally called Public Participation Hearings) will be held across the state and online between May and July 2025 to gather public input on how this acquisition could affect Californians. The CPUC welcomes attendance and comments at the Public Forums, as public comments will help the CPUC reach an informed decision, which is expected later in 2025. The schedule and location information for the Public Forums is as follows:
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When |
Format |
Location |
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May 29, 2025 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. |
In-Person |
Palm Desert City Council Chambers
|
|
June 11, 2025 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. |
In-Person |
Santa Barbara City Council Chambers 735 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
|
|
June 16, 2025 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. |
Virtual |
Webcast (to watch only): https://www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/ Phone: 1-800-857-1917, Passcode: 6032788#
|
|
June 18, 2025 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. |
In-Person |
Eureka City Council Chambers 531 K St., Eureka, CA 95501
|
|
June 24, 2025 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. |
In-Person |
Monticola Clubhouse 140 S. Lassen St., Susanville, CA 96130
|
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June 30, 2025 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. |
In-Person |
Long Beach City Council Chambers 411 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802
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July 7, 2025 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. |
In-Person |
Sacramento County Board of Supervisors’ Chambers 700 H St., Suite 1450, Sacramento, CA 95814
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|
July 15, 2025 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. |
Virtual |
Webcast (to watch only): https://www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/ Phone: 1-800-857-1917, Passcode: 6032788#
|
How to Make Comment
- Attend: Join the CPUC at a Public Forum in-person and sign-up to speak.
- Call In: For the Public Forums that offer remote access, use the telephone number listed above to comment publicly during the Public Forum.
- Participants who wish to speak must press star (*) one, unmute their phone, and record their name. This will alert the operator who will put the speakers into a queue and announce each speaker’s name one at a time when the speaker’s turn comes up. When it is time for public comment, the Administrative Law Judge assigned to the proceeding will make an announcement through the telephone line for those who wish to speak.
- Submit Written Comments: Submit your comments anytime online, and read the comments of others, on the proceeding’s Docket Card.
Accommodations
To request language or other accommodations at any of the Public Forums, please contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov or call toll free 866-849-8390 at least five business days in advance of the Public Forum you plan to attend.
While a quorum of Commissioners and/or their staff may attend the Public Forums, no official action will be taken on this matter during the Public Forums.
More Information
- Ruling setting the Public Forums
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About the California Public Utilities Commission
The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures
Californians access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov for
more information.
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