Transfer of Small Telephone Company in Orange County Approved

ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today approved the transfer of ownership of Alteva of Warwick, LLC (Alteva) to Archtop Fiber LLC (Archtop). As a result of this sale, Archtop, the new owner of the small telephone company in Orange County, will invest $3.75 million to expand its broadband fiber network to new locations.

“Expanding broadband infrastructure plays a significant role in our economy, education, and health of a region,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “The Commission’s approval today continues our commitment to expanding broadband coverage for all New Yorkers.”

Today’s decision to authorize the transfer of ownership to Archtop will enhance Alteva's market position by increasing financial resources and enhancing business operations, including an investment of resources to expand Alteva's broadband network and enhance the network's capabilities and fiber-based broadband services.

The Commission’s approval is conditioned upon Archtop’s commitment to spend at least $3.75 million of incremental capital expenditures to expand Alteva’s broadband network to certain locations agreed to within two years of the close of the transaction. The number of new homes that will be served is yet to be determined.

The small telephone company serves approximately 1,827 residential and 1,284 business access lines in the towns of Warwick, Goshen, and Wallkill in Orange County. The company also operates as a competitive local exchange carrier, serving approximately 12 residential and 81 business access lines in the City of Middletown and the Hamlet of Scotchtown, Orange County.

The Commission has been active in its work to expand broadband access in New York State. On April 16, 2021, the Comprehensive Broadband Connectivity Act of 2021 was enacted, which directed the Commission to study, on an annual basis, the availability, reliability, and cost of high-speed broadband service in the State to help ensure that all New Yorkers have the necessary affordable access moving forward.

In January 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the $1 billion ConnectALL initiative — the largest-ever investment in New York's 21st century infrastructure — as part of her 2022 State of the State. This plan will deliver affordable broadband to millions of New Yorkers and transform the State's digital infrastructure through new investments. Under the new ConnectALL initiative, New York State will use over $1 billion in public and private investments to connect New Yorkers in rural and urban areas statewide to broadband.

To protect Alteva’s ratepayers, the Commission’s approval is conditioned upon certain accounting and financial conditions the Commission has previously required in similar transactions. The company’s respective customer-facing jobs will not decrease as a result of the transaction, and Archtop will execute its plan to enroll Alteva in the federal broadband Affordable Connectivity Program. The sale will be seamless and transparent to the end users, and rates, terms, and conditions of service will not change except in the compliance with customers’ contracts, tariffs, and applicable law.

Documents regarding this proceeding may obtained by accessing the search function of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov, under ‘Commission Files’ and then ‘File Search’ and entering Case Number 23-C-0290 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.