Verizon has agreed to offer super affordable internet plans in California as part of its effort to buy Frontier Communications for nearly $10 billion. The deal aims to get approval from regulators by promising to help low-income residents access better internet options.

Low-Cost Internet for Californians

To secure approval for its purchase of Frontier, Verizon committed to providing $20-a-month internet plans that are aimed at people with low incomes. These plans include fiber internet with speeds of 300Mbps both ways and fixed wireless options with 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload speeds. Verizon says it will keep these plans available for at least 10 years. After three years, the company plans to try to boost the speeds while keeping the price at $20, if possible.

This agreement is part of a settlement filed with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The plans will be available to those who meet income guidelines and can be combined with existing Lifeline discounts, which already provide $19 off monthly bills for qualifying residents. This means low-income Californians could get internet access almost for free.

Expanding Fiber and Improving Networks

The deal also promises to expand fiber internet across California. Verizon plans to add 75,000 new fiber-to-the-home connections in the state—more than what Frontier would have built on its own. Priority will be given to low-income households. In addition, Verizon will construct 250 new cell sites to enhance its 5G network coverage.

This move is seen as a way to improve internet access for underserved communities, especially those with limited options before. The focus on fiber expansion could mean better speeds and more reliable service for many Californians who currently lack high-speed internet.

Regulatory Challenges and Broader Issues

The agreement comes at a time of tension between state and federal regulators. California officials pushed for lower-priced plans for low-income residents but faced pushback from the Trump administration, which threatened to block funds if states imposed specific prices. There has also been disagreement over diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, has suggested that mergers should be blocked if companies don’t eliminate these programs, which Verizon agreed to do earlier this year.

Verizon’s promise to the FCC to end diversity programs might cause complications in California’s review. State regulators have asked Verizon for details on how it will follow California laws on supplier diversity and reporting on hiring practices for various underrepresented groups.

Verizon’s CFO indicated that the company expects to close the merger early next year, having received approval from eight states, the FCC, and the Department of Justice. The company has also been working to expand its discounted service programs, including a recent agreement in Pennsylvania to extend low-income plans into Frontier’s former service areas for at least four years.

Both California and Pennsylvania are requiring detailed audits of Frontier’s network infrastructure and plans to fix any issues. Frontier serves about 3 million customers across 25 states. Verizon’s purchase involves paying $9.6 billion and taking on more than $10 billion in Frontier’s debt.

This move could reshape how low-income Americans access the internet and push telecom companies to provide more affordable options nationwide. The coming months will reveal if regulators approve these plans and how they might influence internet access for underserved communities across the country.

Inspired by

• https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/09/verizon-to-offer-20-broadband-in-california-to-obtain-merger-approval/

Sources

• conde.digital
• cnevids.com
• ca.gov
• ca.gov
• ca.gov