MA Attorney General Intervenes in Verizon New England Reclassification Petition

Massachusetts Attorney General Intervenes in Verizon New England Reclassification Petition

Andrea Joy Campbell, serving as the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has formally intervened in a telecommunications proceeding concerning Verizon New England Inc. The action, filed on October 26, 2026, challenges Verizon’s petition to reclassify its operations as a non-dominant telecommunications carrier, a shift that could substantially alter regulatory oversight across the state.

The intervention is designed to protect public interests and ensure comprehensive administrative review before any structural changes occur. According to official filings, the Attorney General’s Office is demanding a full evidentiary investigation into any potential rate modifications or tariff amendments stemming from the telecommunications carrier’s petition.

Attorney General Uses Statutory Authority to Intervene in Docket

The Office of the Attorney General submitted its Notice of Intervention, Appearance of Counsel, and Certificate of Service under docket D.T.C. 24-3. This legal maneuver relies directly on statutory authority granted by G.L. c. 12, §§ 10 and 11E, alongside longstanding common-law mandates enabling the state’s chief law enforcement officer to safeguard public rights.

In addition to the formal intervention, the filing requests an exception to 207 CMR 1.05(1)(b) to streamline administrative communications. The AGO formally asked the Department of Telecommunications and Cable to add Angelina Silva-Perez to the official service lists to manage the procedural workflow efficiently.

The state’s top legal office insists that any regulatory adjustments must proceed through a formal administrative adjudication under G.L. c. 30A, § 11.

Scope of the Investigation and Public Stakes

The core of the dispute centers on whether market conditions justify treating Verizon New England as a non-dominant carrier. By demanding a transparent and thorough review, the Attorney General ensures that the Department of Telecommunications and Cable scrutinizes the propriety of any incoming tariff changes. The proceeding remains active before the Department, with all parties required to adhere to the established rules of practice and procedure.

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