John Edwards speaks out against Verizon-FairPoint deal

At a town hall meeting in Hooksett, NH, on Sunday, presidential hopeful John Edwards was asked about Verizon's pending sale of its Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont landlines to FairPoint Communications.

Edwards, who has already released a detailed plan to achieve universal high speed internet access, expressed concern that the Verizon-FairPoint deal would be a step backward for the people of northern New England. He urged the Public Utilities Commissions in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont to thoroughly review the deal before giving their approval:

"I think what the PUC needs to be examining very rigorously is [FairPoint's] commitment … to finish the process of building out. And if they're not going to do it … then the sale should not be approved. I think that is the responsibility of the PUC, to make sure everybody in the state has access to the same high quality high speed internet."

Watch Edwards' comments in full:

Edwards also made larger points about the importance of universal high speed internet access nationwide. He linked the issue to his "Two Americas" theme and promised that if elected he'd make a concerted effort to break down the digital divide, specifically mentioning mapping and high speed infrastructure build-out as top priorities.

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