We, the undersigned, oppose the sale of Rural Cellular (Unicel) to Verizon Wireless. The sale of Unicel, if completed, would put cell phone service in the State of Vermont, and 14 other states, in serious jeopardy.
The sale would make Verizon Wireless a monopoly in Vermont as there would be no other providers of Cell Phone Service in the state. There would be no competition for Verizon Wireless which would allow them to dramatically raise prices, cancel Unicel Contracts which provide lower prices, eliminate Unicel's advanced GSM Network, and essentially stop expansion of cellular service in Vermont since people would have no choice but to use Verizon Wireless no matter how bad the service already is and becomes after the sale.
We request that the Federal Communications Commission reject the proposed sale of Unicel as a serious impediment to the expansion of cell phone technology in Vermont and the serious impact it would have on Vermont's economy which highly depends on cellular service.
Your consideration of this crucial issue is appreciated.
