Utah PSC tentatively approves proposed MCI-Verizon merger

The Utah Public Service Commission on Friday tentatively approved the proposed merger of MCI Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc.

MCI's subsidiaries in Utah are MCImetro Access Transmission Services LLC, MCI WorldCom Communications Inc., MCI WorldCom Network Services Inc., Teleconnect Long Distance Services and Systems Co. (doing business as Telecom USA) and TTI National Inc.

Verizon, providing no local exchange services in Utah, is unregulated.

The merger calls for no changes in the rates, terms or conditions of any telecommunications service in Utah. MCI subsidiaries will become second-tier Verizon subsidiaries. The commission said the merger could enhance Verizon's ability to compete for and serve large business and government customers in Utah by improving the speed of delivery for competitively priced wireline, broadband, wireless and Internet-based services.

The state Division of Public Utilities recommended approval of the merger.