CLEVELAND-Wireless reseller Cellnet of Ohio last week filed a petition with the Public
Utilities Commission of Ohio to delay approval of the proposed merger of AirTouch Communications Inc. and
Vodafone plc. until a 1993 complaint the company filed against AirTouch is settled.
The complaint charges
AirTouch violated Ohio law and PUC orders pertaining to discriminatory rate practices. After five years of procedural
battles, the PUC recently heard the complaint and a ruling is expected this spring.
Cellnet, which has about 15,000
lines on AirTouch’s network, said Ohio law allows the commission to block a merger between two telephone
companies if either has been found in violation of Ohio law or a commission order.
AirTouch, however, said the
PUC can block a merger only if it involves two telephone companies operating in Ohio.
AirTouch also said it has
fulfilled its obligations to the Ohio PUC by filing a notice of its proposed merger with the commission on Feb.
8.
“Their filing is procedurally suspect and does not raise any issues germane to the merger but is motivated
by litigation between AirTouch and Cellnet,” said AirTouch.
