Frontier: Telecom takeover led to outages in 3 states

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Frontier Communications is acknowledging that widespread phone, internet and television service outages in California, Texas and Florida are related to its takeover of another company.

Frontier representatives told California lawmakers Wednesday that the company inherited corrupt data from Verizon after its $10.5 billion acquisition of certain Verizon businesses last month.

West Region President Melinda White says the data issue caused outages during the transition and an outpouring of complaints that Frontier technicians weren’t trained to handle.

California lawmakers on a utilities panel are questioning Frontier after thousands of customers in three states complained to state and federal regulators about spotty service since the April 1 takeover.

Some customers, including a California police department, say the inconsistent service has affected their businesses and emergency services.