Minn. PUC Clears Apollo/Lumen

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission cleared Apollo to buy Lumen’s northwest Wisconsin ILEC assets Tuesday. The Wisconsin ILEC partly operates in Minnesota. The PUC consent calendar subcommittee issued the decision, which becomes a full commission order unless a party, participant or commissioner objects within ten days. The Georgia Public Service Commission cleared the transaction Nov. 9. Lumen still needs OK from the FCC and six states: Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, said the carrier’s spokesperson. Illinois Commerce Commission staff recommended Tuesday in docket 21-0710 that the agency decide Apollo/Lumen likely won’t diminish the company’s ability to provide adequate, reliable, efficient, safe and affordable service, won’t hurt competition and won’t increase rates to retail customers.