STATEMENT OF
CHAIRMAN KEVIN J. MARTIN
Re:  Petitions of the Verizon Telephone Companies for Forbearance Pursuant to 47 
U.S.C. § 160(c) in the Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence and 
Virginia Beach Metropolitan Statistical Areas, WC Docket No. 06-172
The Commission adopted an Order denying forbearance petitions by Verizon for 
relief from network sharing and other obligations in six cities.  Verizon requested relief 
similar to the relief the Commission granted to Qwest in Omaha.  Although significant 
competition exists in Verizon’s markets, particularly in Providence and Virginia Beach, 
the Commission determined based on the specific market facts before us that Verizon’s 
petitions do not warrant regulatory relief like that afforded to Qwest in Omaha.  As 
competition in these markets continues to develop, I am happy to reevaluate these 
markets based on updated market facts.