The FCC has approved both the Alltel-Verizon acquisition and Clearwire-Sprint merger. They voted 5-0 ro conditonal acquisition of Alltel by Verizon as long as Verizon sells network
operations in 105 markets where service overlaps with
Alltel's.
The commission statements noted:
In analyzing Verizon Wireless' proposed acquisition of ALLTEL, the Commission examined the market for mobile telephony/broadband services and concluded that the companies have demonstrated that the transaction, subject to the conditions described below, is likely to result in public interest benefits.
The FCC also voted unanimously to support Sprint's
plan to merge their high-speed wireless network with Clearwire. The FCC statement on the Clearwire noted
The merger is expected to facilitate the build-out of a nationwide WiMAX-based network that will lead to increased competition, greater consumer choice and new, innovative wireless services.
And stipulates these conditions:
The Commission conditioned its approval of this transaction on Sprint Nextel's compliance with a voluntary commitment to phase out its requests for federal high-cost universal service support over a five-year transition period and with a voluntary commitment to use counties for measuring compliance with the Commission's wireless E911 location accuracy rules governing handset-based technologies.