CPUC to Host Virtual Public Events on Frontier’s Request to Change Ownership

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will host two virtual public events - a workshop and a public forum - to provide an overview of Frontier’s proposed corporate reorganization and to discuss key issues and ideas to address potential impacts to the communities and stakeholders that Frontier serves. The CPUC welcomes remote attendance and participation at both of these public events.

The public workshop will feature panelists, including industry analysts and tribal and local governments, discussing Frontier’s application, and the public will have opportunities during the workshop to ask questions and comment. The public forum (formally called a Public Participation Hearing) will provide the public with another opportunity to share their thoughts on Frontier’s application.

On May 22, 2020, Frontier Communications Corporation and its California local exchange and long-distance subsidiaries filed an application to transfer the control of these companies. Frontier has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which proposes to reorganize its corporate structure among other things.

California law requires the CPUC to weigh in on situations when there may be a merger, acquisition, or change in control of a telephone corporation. The CPUC opened proceeding A.20-05-010 to review Frontier's application and decide whether to reject or approve it.

While a quorum of Commissioners and/or their staff may attend the public events, no official action will be taken on this matter at the public events.

Documents related to the proceeding are available at https://apps.cpuc.ca.gov/apex/f?p=401:56:0::NO:RP,57,RIR:P5_PROCEEDING_SELECT:A2005010.

For more information on the proceeding, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/General.aspx?id=6442465774.

For more information on Public Participation Hearings, please see www.cpuc.ca.gov/PPH.

Written comments on the issue may be submitted at https://apps.cpuc.ca.gov/apex/f?p=401:56:0::NO:RP,57,RIR:P5_PROCEEDING_SELECT:A2005010 under the “Public Comments” tab. Public comments received online are available to the CPUC’s Commissioners and the Administrative Law Judge assigned to the case and can help the CPUC make an informed decision.

If specialized accommodations are needed to attend, such as non-English or sign language interpreters, please contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov or toll free at 866-849-8390 at least five days in advance of the public events.

To receive electronic updates on CPUC proceedings, sign-up for the CPUC’s free subscription service at http://subscribecpuc.cpuc.ca.gov.

The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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Press Release