Sanders objects to Verizon Wireless' plan to buy Unicel

Monday November 5, 2007

(Dillon) Verizon announced in July that it wants to acquire Unicel, a smaller company that serves mainly rural areas in Vermont and 14 other states.

Sanders says the $2.7 billion deal will effectively create a monopoly for Verizon.

Tom Torti is president of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce. He says the state's tourism industry could suffer if Verizon creates a cell service monopoly.

Sharing Torti's concern is Paul Burns, the executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

(Burns) "It's critical that we not allow large areas of this state to be left out when it comes to services that most people have come to expect and to rely on everyday."

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