PHOENIX – Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced major settlements with Frontier Communications Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. to address years of unreliable internet and phone service in Navajo and Apache counties. These agreements, secured through the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) at the Arizona Corporation Commission as well as a civil consent judgment, include enforceable commitments to invest in rural broadband infrastructure, fix public safety-related service outages, and protect ratepayers from unfair costs.
“For too long, residents in Navajo and Apache counties have suffered from unreliable internet and phone service that has jeopardized public safety, hurt local businesses, and put lives at risk during emergencies,” said Attorney General Mayes. “These settlements will hold Frontier and Verizon accountable to the communities they serve, bring major investments in broadband infrastructure, and represent a big step in ensuring that residents in these rural areas receive the high-quality service they deserve.”
Attorney General Mayes previewed the settlements with community members at a town hall in St. Johns in Apache County last night.
Under the agreements, Frontier and Verizon, will invest $8 million to expand and enhance rural broadband in Navajo and Apache counties. This includes over $2 million to improve fiber network reliability between Holbrook, Snowflake, and Show Low, and over $2 million to bolster connections between St. Johns, Concho, Springerville, Vernon, and Show Low. Approximately $4 million will go toward connecting homes, businesses, and public institutions directly to high-speed fiber. These commitments are enforceable through a consent judgment with the Attorney General.
Verizon, which is in the process of acquiring Frontier, will be required to identify and fix the root causes of public safety and 911 outages in the region, conduct a full network audit, make investments necessary to ensure adequate and reliable service for customers, and implement enhanced maintenance practices. Frontier customers will also see no rate increases until 2027, and low-income service plans will be offered. The AGO will have party status to enforce Verizon’s obligations through the Corporation Commission. The Corporation Commission must still vote to approve the settlement.
“If these providers fail to live up to these commitments, I will not hesitate to go to court to compel compliance,” Mayes added.
Copies of the complaint and the proposed consent judgment pending court approval are available below. The settlement may be viewed here.