Verizon and Alltel get the go-ahead from FTC
Verizon has been singing, “Give me the green light… I’m ready to go right now,” as its Alltel acquisition has finally been given the official go ahead. After receiving approval from the FCC, Verizon has finally been given the green light by the Federal Trade Commission as well. The FTC has decided to remove the biggest speed bump to the deal, its antitrust review. Although the $5.9 billion dollar merger will make Verizon and Alltel the largest wireless provider in the US combined, the FTC didn’t think there would be any antitrust issues (Verizon is, after all, divesting 100 markets in the US to comply with the FCC). Now after receiving the seal of approval from the FCC, Justice Department and FTC, Verizon is hoping to finalize the deal by late this year or early next year. Verizon surely has its work cut out for it as it’s forking over that $5.9 billion and taking on Alltel’s $22.2 billion in debt – but hey, at least Big Red can claim to be the largest network in the country now.
[Via Phonescoop]
Finally no more “Chad” commercials!
I would pay GOOD money for Verizon to make a commercial where the network guy walks up to Chad, forces him to put on a Verizon shirt, and say ‘It’s the Network’. I have AT&T, but those smug ‘For the whole family’ commercials always ticked me off for some reason.
well, this is nice !
There are still some details involving 22 markets that a judge is going to have to review. Goes back to when Verizon acquired GTE.
Personally I would prefer to see Chad killed off in some way. But watching him turn to Big Red would be quite entertaining as well..
Finally, now lets hope they open their phones for LTE…or at least try to wooo google, apple, HTC, nokia for some sweet devices
Actually, it’s 100 markets in 22 states.
http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/f238900/238946.htm
You have to believe Wi Max is one of the reasons for this acceleration
I thought this was the LTE article, my bad. Will Big Red adopt My Circle, that would be huge
I’m glad this is getting the go ahead from all the right departments. It seems Big Red is really positioning itself well, from the Storm to Alltel to deploying LTE by late 2009. I guess that’s why they think they can create mandatory data (which I hate). Hopefully this brings about cheaper prices (which I doubt) and better services (like My Circle).