Proposed Ore. telephone merger brings opposition

BEND, Ore. (AP) — The proposed merger of two of the largest telephone companies in Oregon may require a long list of conditions to gain approval from state regulators.

The Bulletin newspaper in Bend reports the Oregon Public Utility Commission staff has recommended 57 conditions that fill 13 pages for the proposed merger between Qwest and CenturyLink.

The Citizens Utility Board of Oregon, a utility watchdog, also gave its blessing to the merger, with conditions.

But opponents say if Qwest and CenturyLink merge, it will create a company with so much market share it could harm the interests of consumers and competing telecommunications companies.

Both CenturyLink and Qwest operate nationally, so the merger needs approval from 20 other states, Washington, D.C., and federal regulators.

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Information from: The Bulletin, http://www.bendbulletin.com