Frontier Communications is poised to takeover 600,000 phone landlines in West Virginia from Verizon if the Public Service Commission O-K's the deal. Critics, including Verizon's union workers, argue that Frontier is not financially sound enough to handle the deal and isn't committed to retaining an adequate workforce and broadband service.

Others are worried. Gaylene Miller, AARP: "AARP urges the commission to act deliberately and review all the testimony.....not put consumers at risk." Frontier claims it specializes in rural areas and that the customer base it gets from Verizon will insure its financial stability.

70 Frontier workers lobbied lawmakers at the Capitol Tuesday. Kevin Stout, Frontier worker from Webster Springs:
" What they don't understand is how much it will really help Frontier because the main thing is Verizon doesn't want West Virginia and Frontier does! I don't see how West Virginia can lose in that situation. "

PSC testimony raised concern West Virginia could see a repeat of 911 problems seen when Verizon sold to a different small company in New England. Matthew Vinci , President , Professional Firefighters of Vermont: "Frontier says it's not Fairpoint, but I disagree. Look at the business model. I'm only a firefighter, but I can tell you that the similarities are too close for comfort. " Angela McCall, Frontier employee: " Frontier is not a stranger to acquisitions. We've been very successful in our history."

It's the PSC's call now, but they are not expected to rule immediately after the hearing wraps up later this week.