State of New Jersey

STATE OF NEW JERSEY
Division of The Ratepayer Advocate
31 Clinton Street, 11th Fl.
P. O. Box 46005
Newark, New Jersey 07101

Press Release

For Immediate Release
February 18, 2005

For Further Information
Contact: Robyn Roberts
Tel: 973-648-2690

Ratepayer Advocate Seema M. Singh’s Statement
On Verizon’s Proposed Acquisition of MCI

Ratepayer Advocate Seema M. Singh issued the following statement on the announcement of Verizon’s proposed acquisition of MCI:
“As the landscape of the telecommunications industry is very quickly undergoing a great deal of change, the Ratepayer Advocate will thoroughly review the proceedings of Verizon’s proposed acquisition of MCI and evaluate its impact on N.J. ratepayers to ensure that they will continue to receive safe, affordable, reliable and proper service,” said Ratepayer Advocate Seema M. Singh. “Our focus will center on the impact on customer rates, the effects on competition and the local employees of both companies and how the best interests of New Jersey’s ratepayers can be served.”

The Division of the Ratepayer Advocate is an independent state agency that represents the interests of utility consumers and serves as an active participant whenever New Jersey utilities seek changes in their rates or services. The Ratepayer Advocate also gives consumers a voice in setting long-range energy, water, and telecommunications policy that will affect the delivery of utility services well into the future. Additional information on this and other matters can be found at the Division of Ratepayer Advocate's website at www.rpa.state.nj.us.


###

BACK | HOME