CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Public Service Commission says Verizon can purchase Frontier Communications in West Virginia but it has to agree to improve service for traditional phone customers.

The 14-page PSC order, signed Friday, includes a required $60 million investment into an escrow fund for customers who still get service through copper wires.

The order said Verizon must agree to provide “plain old reliable phone service” where fiber is not currently available.

“These (escrow) funds may be spent to upgrade the current POTS copper network or through the use of other necessary equipment to provide adequate service to both new and existing customers,” the order said.

PSC Chair Charlotte Lane warned in a June hearing that any deal between the two companies had to include considerat

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