(WENY) -- Verizon struck a $20 billion deal on Thursday morning to buy Frontier Communications. Verizon representatives say the acquisition will have several benefits locally and nationwide.
For residents of the Northern Tier, the deal could create a boost in their internet and phone services. This comes after years of unreliable connections from Frontier in their area.
"This strategic acquisition will increase Verizon’s scale with 2.2 million fiber subscribers and extend Verizon’s network reach to 25 million premises across 31 states and Washington, D.C., accelerating the company’s delivery of premium mobility and broadband connectivity services," said a representative from Verizon. "And over the long-term, it will also expand Verizon's intelligent edge network for digital innovations like AI and IoT."
Issues with Frontier's services in the Northern Tier have been ongoing for several years. Due to the amount of frustrations expressed by residents, local and state officials filed formal complaints last year alongside the Offices of Consumer Advocate (OCA), Small Business Advocate (OSBA), and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). This then led to an eventual settlement with Frontier.
Now, Pennsylvania State Representatives Tina Pickett and Clint Owlett say they are hopeful that Verizon upholds those deals and provides better services in the area overall.
"Certainly we have not much of a future hope for Frontier and what they're willing to build out in the area, even if they keep up with the repair and service," said Representative Tina Pickett, (R) Towanda. "We don't see much of a build-out probability. So, this could be a major answer for our area. Let's really hope that that's what it is. People have been through very difficult times, paying out significant money for service they have not been receiving."
When asked if he believes Verizon will uphold the previous settlements made with Frontier, Representative Owlett said, "Well that's going to be my question to the PUC and the Office of Consumer Advocate is to what binding that settlement has on any sale. We're going to advocate that it does and it should because we believe that there needs to continue to be an investment in rural Pennsylvania, specifically our area to make sure our service is quality and actually exists. So, we're going to advocate at the highest level to make sure that that continues."
Both Owlett and Pickett agree that only time will tell how the Verizon-Frontier deal will affect phone and internet access in the Northern Tier.
However, if people continue to have service issues during and after the transitional period to Verizon, Owlett and Pickett are encouraging them to reach out to their offices for help.
Representative Tina Pickett's Towanda office number: 570-265-3124
Representative Clint Owlett's Wellsboro office number: 570-724-1390