BTL’s Smart Takeover Plan Under PUC Review

The Public Utilities Commission is stepping in to keep telecom prices steady, placing a temporary freeze on all BTL rates after ruling last week that the company holds dominant power in several key markets. The freeze took effect on March eleventh and runs through 2028, meaning BTL can’t raise, drop, or even introduce new rates, or roll out new bundles, without the P.U.C.’s blessing. Regulators say the move protects consumers while they tighten the rules for dominant operators. And in a related development, the P.U.C. is also reviewing BTL’s latest filing on its proposed takeover of Speednet, the parent company of Smart. The deal still needs board approval, but regulators are already pressing both companies on issues like consumer protection, service continuity, and competition. BTL and Speednet have until April thirteenth to respond, and the P.U.C. is inviting customers to weigh in as it considers one of the biggest telecom decisions in years.

 

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