U.S. states ask FCC to scrutinize Verizon's plan to buy Tracfone

[February 06, 2021]  (Reuters) - The attorneys general of 16 U.S. states and the District of Columbia on Friday urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to thoroughly investigate Verizon Communications Inc's proposed $6.25 billion acquisition of pre-paid mobile phones provider Tracfone and impose conditions if it approves the deal.

Verizon said in September it would buy Tracfone, a unit of Mexican telecom company America Movil, in a cash and stock deal.

The state attorneys general said the FCC "should examine whether the acquisition of TracFone by Verizon could significantly reduce millions of Americans’ access to affordable communications services."

Th letter added, "it is imperative that the FCC thoroughly vet the proposed transaction and impose specific conditions that protect and ensure the public interest before considering approval."

The state AGs are led by Virginia's Mark Herring and also include those of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

Tracfone is one of the largest providers of telecommunications services under the government subsidy program known as Lifeline with 1.7 million low-income subscribers in 43 states and the District of Columbia, the state AGs' letter said, while Verizon offers Lifeline in parts of four states.

The Verizon logo is seen on the side of a truck in New York City, U.S., October 13, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

A Verizon spokesman said on Friday the company "will continue to offer Lifeline service through TracFone and further develop its core brands, products and distribution channels. Strengthening and growing TracFone will benefit value-conscious consumers."

Tracfone, which serves about 21 million subscribers through more than 90,000 retail locations across the United States, said last year more than 13 million of its subscribers rely on Verizon’s network under an existing agreement. Verizon is the largest U.S. wireless carrier by subscribers.

"We urge the FCC to put the interest of the American consumer before that of big business and request additional information before allowing this acquisition to happen," said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)

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