PSC overturns NANPA denial, approves Verizon Access request for 3,000 numbering blocks

The Maryland Public Service Commission on Aug. 6, 2025 voted to overturn the North American Numbering Plan Administrator’s (NANPA) denial of a request by MCI Metro Access Transmission Services LLC, doing business as Verizon Access Transmission Services, for 3,000 blocks of telephone numbers.

What happened
Jennifer Purvis, appearing for PSC staff, told commissioners that Verizon had applied to NANPA for 3,000 blocks to meet a business customer’s need but NANPA denied the request because the company did not meet the 75% utilization requirement under thousand‑block number pooling rules. Purvis said Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Order 01-362 delegates to state commissions a safety‑valve mechanism to overturn NANPA denials when a verifiable need is shown. Staff concluded the company had demonstrated a verifiable need and recommended the commission overturn NANPA’s denial.

Verizon support and questions
Doug Smith, vice president for state government affairs for Verizon, supported staff’s recommendation and asked commissioners to approve the waiver. Commissioner Litton questioned what would happen to any unused numbers after Verizon filled the immediate customer request; Smith answered that remaining blocks would enter Verizon’s inventory and be available for other customers under NANPA allocation rules.

Commission action
A motion to overturn NANPA's denial and allow the expected allocation of 3,000 numbering blocks passed by recorded voice vote with all commissioners present voting aye.

Why it matters
The decision uses the FCC’s delegated “safety‑valve” mechanism that permits state commissions to override NANPA denials when additional numbering resources are demonstrably needed. Staff and Verizon said the request reflects business growth demands in Maryland and that the allocation would be processed by NANPA after the PSC’s action.