N.H. Reviewing FairPoint-Verizon Deal (AP)

March 28, 2008, 5:08PM
N.H. Reviewing FairPoint-Verizon Deal

By NORMA LOVE Associated Press Writer
© 2008 The Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire and Vermont regulators will hold emergency meetings Sunday to reconsider the sale of Verizon's landline phone and Internet service in northern New England to North Carolina-based FairPoint Communications.

Unions, FairPoint reach deal

Tentative contract gives raises for next five years

By KATE DAVIDSON
Monitor staff

Two unions that represent more than 2,500 Verizon employees in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont have reached a tentative contract with FairPoint Communications, the North Carolina-based company that will take over Verizon's landline operations in the three states March 31.

A bad idea triumphs (Portland Phoenix)

Verizon: $500,000,000 — Public: $0

By: JEFF INGLIS, The Portland Phoenix

From time to time, we all wonder how bad public-policy choices make it through "the democratic process," being vetted and scrutinized by "the appropriate agencies," and incorporating "public input."

Links to press coverage of about NH PUC decision approving sale of landlines to FairPoint

Regulators give okay to Verizon sale (Concord Monitor, quotes IBEW Local 2320's Glenn Bracket)
 
Fairpoint Gets Final Approval from NH Regulators (NH Public Radio quotes IBEW's Robert Erickson)
 
Verizon-Fairpoint Deal Wins New Hampshire Approval (Maine Public Broadcasting Network, quotes IBEW's Local 2327 Pete McLaughlin) 

Final settlements on landline sale yield $362 million in new commitments from Verizon (IBEW - CWA press release)

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Communications Workers of America

News Release

For Immediate Release: February 26, 2008

NH provides last regulatory approval...

Unions pledge to work with new employer and regulators to ensure high quality service and expanded broadband

The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission's decision to approve the sale of Verizon Communications operations to FairPoint Communications represents the last regulatory approval required for the transaction to occur. The transaction sparked a spirited debate about whether the sale was in the public's best interest and its future impact on economic development in the three northern New England states.

NH gives final OK to sale of Verizon lines to FairPoint [NH Union Leader]

By DENIS PAISTE
New Hampshire Union Leader Staff

More than a year after a $2.7 billion telecommunications deal was proposed, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission yesterday gave final approval for the transfer of Verizon Communications' regional landline phone business to FairPoint Communications.

N.H. regulators approve Verizon-FairPoint deal [AP - Fayetteville Observor]

The Associated Press
CONCORD, N.H.

New Hampshire regulators on Monday approved the sale of Verizon's landline phone and Internet service in northern New England to North Carolina-based FairPoint Communications, saying they believe FairPoint has shown that the proposed deal is for the public good.

PUC approves FairPoint/Verizon deal [Union Leader]

By DENIS PAISTE
New Hampshire Union Leader Staff

More than a year after a $2.7 billion telecommunications deal was proposed, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission today gave final approval for the transfer of Verizon Communications’ regional landline phone business to FairPoint Communications.

Vermont Approves FairPoint Sale

Verizon has had a difficult time getting approval for the sale of its networks to FairPoint in 3 New England regions. The state of Maine was the first to approve the deal after many revisions were made to the terms of the sale. A few weeks ago, Vermont regulators struck a tentative deal allowing the sale to potentially move forward. The Vermont Public Service Board officially approved that deal yesterday.

Vermont board OKs FairPoint deal

By DENIS PAISTE
New Hampshire Union Leader Staff

MANCHESTER – Vermont's Public Service Board approved FairPoint Communications' acquisition of Verizon Communications' landlines yesterday, the second of the three northern New England states to approve the amended $2.35 billion deal.