Verizon Wireless’s acquisition of Alltel is approved by the DOJ

Thanks to a deal that has been quite a while in the making, AT&T is now on the verge is getting booted from its position as the nations largest wireless carrier. The Department of Justice approved on Thursday the $28 billion purchase of Alltel by Verizon Wireless. It comes at a price though, as Verizon will be required to divest their wireless holdings in 100 markets that span 22 states. According to Thomas Barnett, assistant attorney general in charge of the antitrust division, the divestitures required are among the most extensive required by the department in a wireless case and include the entire states of North Dakota and South Dakota, major portions of Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Montana, South Carolina, Utah and Wyoming, and sections of Alabama, Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. The next hurdle for Verizon is the FCC which will vote on the acquisition in its next meeting on November 4th and is expected to mirror the DOJ divestiture requirements in its decision. So what do you all think? Is a bigger Verizon Wireless necessarily better for consumers? Chime in and let your opinion be known.

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