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Verizon Opposes Communications Workers of America's Motion to Intervene in California Public Utilities Commission Hearing

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Verizon Communications Inc. has filed a regulatory update with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), opposing the Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 9's motion to become a party in the joint application for the transfer of control of various Frontier Communications entities to Verizon. The CWA's motion, filed on August 6, 2025, seeks to participate in the CPUC hearing, despite having already participated in multiple public participation hearings (PPHs) throughout the proceeding. Verizon argues that the CWA's request is untimely, insufficient, and should be denied, citing the Commission's rules and past decisions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CWA has participated in multiple PPHs, including those in Palm Desert, Santa Barbara, and Long Beach, California, and has already had a meaningful opportunity to present its views regarding the proposed transaction to the Commission.
  • The CWA's motion is untimely, as it was filed over ten months after the proceeding commenced and long after the parties filed multiple rounds of written testimony.
  • The CWA's motion does not meet the threshold showing required under Rule 1.4 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure, as it fails to state the factual and legal contentions that the CWA intends to make and show that the contentions will be reasonably pertinent to the issues already presented.
  • If the Commission grants the CWA's motion, it should ensure that the current schedule is not delayed and that the CWA's participation is appropriately circumscribed, limiting it to filing a brief and comments on the proposed decision, attending evidentiary hearings, and participating in all-party settlement discussions.

Statistics:

  • The proposed transaction will deliver substantial benefits to the residents of California, including improved service quality and expanded investment, as well as benefits to small businesses throughout the state.
  • The transaction is expected to expand opportunities to serve Frontier's existing footprint through Verizon's programs, particularly in diverse and rural communities.
  • The deadline for filing written testimony has long since passed, with all parties complying with the deadline, and allowing the CWA to introduce new testimony or cross-examine witnesses at this late stage would be unfair and prejudicial to Joint Applicants.

Sources:

  • Ruling Noticing Public Participation Hearings and Providing Additional Instructions (Mar. 28, 2025)
  • Reporters' Transcript, Palm Desert, California, CPUC Public Participation Hearing, Volume 1 (May 29, 2025)
  • Reporters' Transcript, Santa Barbara, California, CPUC Public Participation Hearing, Volume 2 (June 11, 2025)
  • Reporters' Transcript, Long Beach, California, CPUC Public Participation Hearing, Volume 6 (June 30, 2025)
  • CWA Statement on FCC Approval of Verizon's Acquisition of Frontier (May 17, 2025)
  • D. 22-10-022, 2022 WL 16783282 (Cal. P.U.C. Oct. 20, 2022)
  • D. 13-11-025, 2013 WL 6202871 (Cal. P.U.C. Nov. 14, 2013)
  • D. 10-12-007, 2010 WL 5137019 (Cal. P.U.C. Dec. 2, 2010)
  • Commission Rule of Practice and Procedure 1.4(b)(2)

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