VIII. Public Interest Considerations

The sole issue in this proceeding is whether, upon the acquisition of control by FCI, First Communications and Xtension will continue to have requisite managerial, financial, and technical support to provide service, and whether granting this application is otherwise consistent with the public interest.

Applicants state that following the change of control, First Communications and Xtension will continue to be managed by the existing executive management teams and management staffs of these utilities. Applicants provided biographies of the management teams as Exhibit B to the application.