Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced today a major step forward in closing the digital divide in rural Arizona. As part of a proposed settlement awaiting approval by the Arizona Corporation Commission, Frontier Communications Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. will jointly invest $8 million to expand and improve broadband infrastructure across Navajo and Apache counties.
This landmark settlement comes after the state filed a lawsuit against Frontier entities in Maricopa County Superior Court, alleging years of unreliable phone and internet service in two of the state’s most underserved and Indigenous-populated counties. The agreement includes enforceable commitments by both companies to upgrade fiber networks, resolve public safety outages, and protect consumers from unfair rate increases.
“For too long, residents in Navajo and Apache counties have suffered from unreliable internet and phone service that has jeopardized public safety, hurt local businesses and put lives at risk during emergencies,” said Attorney General Mayes. “These settlements hold Frontier and Verizon accountable, bring major infrastructure investments, and represent a big step toward ensuring rural communities receive the high-quality service they deserve.”
Under the settlement:
