CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Frontier Communication Corp. has promised to expand broadband Internet access in West Virginia and other states, if regulators approve the company's plans to purchase Verizon's telephone landlines as part of an $8.6 billion deal. 

But the Communications Workers of America argued Wednesday that Frontier's broadband services fall far short of the competition.

Citing a national customer satisfaction survey, the union said West Virginia would be replacing the best broadband provider in the nation with one of the worst.

"The economic growth and development of West Virginia depends on having modern, high-speed Internet access," said union spokeswoman Elaine Harris. "It's not in the public's best interest for West Virginians to replace the leader in broadband service with a smaller company whose customer satisfaction is appallingly low."

Last week, J.D. Power and Associates, a consumer research company, rated Verizon the best residential Internet service provider in the Eastern United States. Frontier ranked eighth among 11 companies.

In the Western region, Verizon ranked second and Frontier finished 10th among 12 Internet providers. 

In response to the union's criticism, Frontier accused the union of "misleading remarks and fear mongering."

Frontier spokeswoman Brigid Smith noted that 40 percent of Verizon's customers in West Virginia don't have access to broadband. Meanwhile, Frontier makes broadband available to 92 percent of its customers across the state.

"Download and upload speeds mean nothing if you cannot connect," Smith said.

Stamford, Conn.-based Frontier plans to purchase Verizon's telephone access lines in West Virginia and 13 other states. Verizon has 617,000 residential and small business landlines in West Virginia. Frontier has 144,000 access lines throughout the state.

But the Communications Workers of America argued Wednesday that Frontier's broadband services fall far short of the competition.

Citing a national customer satisfaction survey, the union said West Virginia would be replacing the best broadband provider in the nation with one of the worst.

"The economic growth and development of West Virginia depends on having modern, high-speed Internet access," said union spokeswoman Elaine Harris. "It's not in the public's best interest for West Virginians to replace the leader in broadband service with a smaller company whose customer satisfaction is appallingly low."

Last week, J.D. Power and Associates, a consumer research company, rated Verizon the best residential Internet service provider in the Eastern United States. Frontier ranked eighth among 11 companies.

In the Western region, Verizon ranked second and Frontier finished 10th among 12 Internet providers. 

In response to the union's criticism, Frontier accused the union of "misleading remarks and fear mongering."

Frontier spokeswoman Brigid Smith noted that 40 percent of Verizon's customers in West Virginia don't have access to broadband. Meanwhile, Frontier makes broadband available to 92 percent of its customers across the state.

"Download and upload speeds mean nothing if you cannot connect," Smith said.

Stamford, Conn.-based Frontier plans to purchase Verizon's telephone access lines in West Virginia and 13 other states. Verizon has 617,000 residential and small business landlines in West Virginia. Frontier has 144,000 access lines throughout the state.

Frontier hopes to close the Verizon deal by April 30.

Smith said the company plans to expand broadband services to West Virginia schools, health care facilities, businesses and homes.

"We are offering jobs and growth and a commitment to the communities we serve and will serve," Smith said.

A recent Communication Workers of America survey found that West Virginia has the slowest broadband upload speed in the nation. The Mountain State also ranked 44th in terms of broadband DSL availability.

"West Virginia should not rank near the bottom of the list in states with broadband availability," Smith said. "West Virginia deserves better, and we plan on helping."

The state Public Service Commission plans to start hearings on the proposed sale on Jan. 12.

The J.D. Power and Associates study measures customer satisfaction with high-speed Internet service based on five factors: performance and reliability; cost of service; customer service; billing and offerings and promotions.

Reach Eric Eyre at erice...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4869.