Joint Advocates Request Official Notice of FCC Docket and Letters Regarding TracFone Wireless Acquisition

Strategic Insights -

A coalition of advocacy groups, led by the Public Advocates Office at the California Public Utilities Commission (Cal Advocates), The Utility Reform Network (TURN), and Center for Accessible Technology (CforAT), have jointly submitted a motion to the CPUC to take official notice of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) docket (GN Docket No. 21-112) and related documents regarding the proposed transfer of control of TracFone Wireless, Inc. to Verizon Communications Inc. The motion cites the importance of considering additional information that may arise from the FCC's General Information Requests to Verizon and TracFone, as well as letters from United States Senators requesting information on plans to shut down 2G and 3G networks by 2022.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CPUC is reviewing a joint application from TracFone Wireless, Inc., America Movil, S.A.B. de C.V., and Verizon Communications, Inc. to approve the transfer of control of TracFone.
  • The FCC is also reviewing the proposed transaction and has opened a docket, GN Docket No. 21-112, to hear comments on the matter.
  • The Public Advocates Office, The Utility Reform Network, and Center for Accessible Technology have jointly submitted a motion to the CPUC to take official notice of the FCC's docket and related documents.
  • The motion requests that the CPUC consider the FCC's General Information Requests to Verizon and TracFone, which may bring light to additional information of interest to the proceeding.
  • United States Senators have sent letters to Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T requesting information on plans to shut down 2G and 3G networks by 2022, with responses due on May 3, 2021.
  • Documents attached to the motion include the public notice of the FCC's docket, the General Information Requests to Verizon and TracFone, and the United States Senators' letters.

Statistics:

  • The CPUC is reviewing a joint application for the transfer of control of TracFone Wireless, Inc.
  • The FCC has opened a docket, GN Docket No. 21-112, to hear comments on the proposed transaction.
  • The Public Advocates Office, The Utility Reform Network, and Center for Accessible Technology have jointly submitted a motion to the CPUC to take official notice of the FCC's docket and related documents.
  • The FCC's General Information Requests to Verizon and TracFone were submitted on April 14, 2021.
  • Responses to the United States Senators' letters are due on May 3, 2021.

Sources:

  • Motion for Official Notice of the Public Advocates Office, The Utility Reform Network, and Center for Accessible Technology, of Federal Communications Commission Docket Number 21-112
  • Federal Communications Commission, Federal Communications Commission Establishes Docket for Proposed Transfer of Control of TracFone Wireless, Inc. to Verizon Communications Inc., Public Notice GN Docket No. 21-112, DA 21-376 (WTB March 2021)
  • General Information Request - Verizon Communications Inc., GN Docket No. 21-112, IB File No. ITCT/ C-20200930-00173, April 14, 2021
  • General Information Request America Movil, S.A.B. de C.V. GN Docket No. 21-112 IB File No. ITCT/ C-20200930-00173, April 14, 2021
  • United States Senate Letters to Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, dated April 19, 2021