Frontier completes acquisition of Verizon lines

Frontier Communications has completed its acquisition of Verizon Communications' local wireline operations in Carson Valley and 13 states.

The combined operations provide phone, high-speed Internet, wireless Internet data access, satellite video and other services to more than 4 million residential and business customers using the Frontier Communications brand. This transaction positions Frontier as the largest pure rural telecommunications carrier in the United States.

Kevin Ancell, Frontier's general manager in the area, said the acquisition does not affect Verizon's wireless customers, only landline customers.

"We've kept all the Verizon systems, so nothing will change at first," Ancell said. "Bills will stay the same, just with a different name, and the Public Utilities Commission has guaranteed prices will not be raised."

Ancell said Frontier brings a different philosophy to the table.

"We're really involved in community development," Ancell said. "We keep in touch with all our business customers, and you'll see us around a lot."

Because of the acquisition, Ancell said Frontier now has about 34,800 customers split between Douglas, Lyon, Alpine and Mono counties.

"We'll be spending a lot in capital and improvements in services," he said. "We actually put managers in the local places, so they can listen to the employees. The guys are all excited and seem very enthused."

Ivan Seidenberg, chairman of the board and CEO of Verizon Communications, said, "Frontier continually defines its success in terms of customer and employee satisfaction, and it's obvious they care deeply about the communities they serve. Under the leadership of Maggie Wilderotter and her senior team, Frontier is the right partner for these markets. Customers will continue to be served by some of the best employees in the industry. I thank them for their dedication as they make this transition to Frontier."

For more information, visit www.frontier.com.