FCC Approves Verizon-Alltel Merge!

Here's an update to the series of post on the Verizon-Alltel merge. In my last post, I bloggged about the decision of the US Department of Justice to allow Verizon Wireless to buy Alltel as long as the wireless network operator complies with the requirements. The Verizon-Alltel merge takes another step towards completion with the blessing of the FCC.

The FCC commissioners held a special meeting to discuss the Verizon-Alltel merge after it had been approved by the DOJ. The FCC has many considerations to look into during this Verizon-Alltel merge meeting including the complaints raised by regional wireless network operators and consumer groups. Regional wireless network operators have appealed against the Verizon-Alltel merge because of the unresolved issues on roaming, spectrum concentration and handset exclusivity.

However, the FCC commissioners in charge of the Verizon-Alltel merge voted unanimously in favor of the deal. Five FCC commissioners voted to allow the Verizon-Alltel merge. Verizon Wireless must fulfill some conditions before it can fully acquire Alltel. For example, the FCC requires that Verizon Wireless must honor Alltel's existing roaming agreements with other wireless network operators for four years. The major wireless network operator must also divest spectrum in 22 states to complete the Verizon-Alltel merge.

Well, I think that this Verizon-Alltel merge approval is a victory for Verizon Wireless. With the Verizon-Alltel merge approval of the FCC, Verizon is one step closer to being the largest wireless network in the United States. Tune in to this blog to get more of the latest news and updates on the Verizon-Alltel merge and other news on wireless network operators and new cellphones.

Verizon's Alltel Acquisition Approved by the DOJ

A few daya ago, I posted about the regional wireless network operators that opposes the Verion-Alltel Union because of the unresolved issues on roaming, spectrum concentration and handset exclusivity. But I've just found out that the DOJ has given its blessing on Verizon Wireless acquisition of Alltel Wireless.

According to PhoneScoop, the US Department of Justice has approved Verizon Wireless's purchase of Alltel Wireless for $28 billion. However, the wireless network operator must divest its wireless assets in 100 markets encompassing 22 states.

Here is a list of states with wireless network assets that Verizon need to divest in order to acquire Alltel Wireless:

North Dakota
South Dakota
Colorado
Georgia
Kansas
Montana
South Carolina
Utah
Wyoming
Alabama
Arizona
California
Idaho
Illinois
Iowa
Minnesota
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Carolina
Ohio
Virginia


Of course, the DOJ's approval doesn't mean that the Verizon Wireless and Alltel Wireless union is complete. The FCC will meet on Nov. 4 to vote for the approval of this controversial wireless network acquisition. Let's see if the FCC will heed the appeal of the regional wireless network operators that opposes the Verizon-Alltel Union because of the unresolved issues on roaming, spectrum concentration and handset exclusivity.

If the FCC rule in favor of the Verizon Wireless- Alltel union then the commission will probably call for wireless divestitures similar to those made by the DOJ. If all goes well, then Verizon Wireless will merge with Alltel Wireless to become the biggest wireless network operator in the US.

Tune in to this blog for more news on wireless network operators and other wireless related news.

Regional Wireless Network Opposses Verion-Alltel Union

The news about Verizon Wireless' plan to acquire Alltel first surfaced during the first week of June. It was a significant development in the wireless network industry as it would make Verizon the biggest American wireless carrier. However, many expected that the union will not go smoothly as many obstacles have to be cleared before Alltel completely merges with Verizon Wireless. Another obstacle to the Alltel-Verizon merge have surfaced as some rural or regional carriers have declared their strong opposition.

In an effort to stop Verizon from Acquiring Alltel, some rural wireless network operators have sent a letter to FCC. The letter addressed to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin requested that the commission deny the approval of Verizon Wireless's acquisition of Alltel.

Here's a list of the wireless network operators and wireless associations who signed the letter:

• Leap Wireless
• SouthernLINC
• LCW Wireless
• Revol Wireless
• Mobi PCS
• NTELOS Inc.
• National Telecommunications Cooperative Association
• Rural Telecommunications Group
• Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies

The groups and carriers opposing to Verizon Wireless-Alltel union are concerned about the issues that might go unresolved if the FCC allowed the acquisition. The groups and carriers want the FCC to rule on the unresolved issues on roaming, spectrum concentration and handset exclusivity before they vote to allow Verizon Wireless to acquire Alltel. The Federal Communications Commission is scheduled to vote on this issue ion Nov. 4.

These members of the groups that oppose the merge believe that it would be against the interests of the public. They also feel that allowing Verizon to acquire Alltel without properly addressing the unresolved issues on roaming, spectrum concentration and handset exclusivity is anti-competitive and anti-consumer.

If the FCC voted to approve the merger, then Verizon Wireless will surpass AT&T as the biggest wireless network operator in the US. However, the FCC will need to address the concerns expressed by the regional carriers and wireless consumer groups before the Verizon-Alltel union becomes a reality.

I thinks its good that these groups have publicly expressed their stand on the issue. If the FCC do not heed their concerns, then it might be possible that a lot of problems will surface from the union between two major wireless carriers. Tune in to this blog for more news and updates on the the regional and national US carriers.

Wireless Networks to Participate in FCC Cell Phone Alert System

Many mobile phone sites on the web has featured a story on the FCC making plans on a nationwide emergency alert system using text messages on mobile devices. The commission is trying to enable people to communicate emergency situations by sending text messages to mobile phones.

Top wireless networks including Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint Nextel, and T-Mobile and Verizon have expressed that they are willing to take part in the program. However, the wireless networks strongly request the FCC to adopt an advisory committee's recommendations. The recommendations include, limiting warnings to English and 90 characters in length.

The commission has also decided to allow each participating wireless network to choose its own technical solution for deploying emergency warnings to customers. Special provisions for disabled individuals were also made by the considerate commission.

Well, the Federal Communications Commission approved technical guidelines for a voluntary mobile-phone emergency alert system according to the request of participating wireless network. Unfortunately, a federal coordinator has not yet been appointed for the new public warning system.

The delay began when the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA wanted the FCC to delay key decisions in the rulemaking early this year. The reason for the delay was a legal glitch according to the agency.

The agency wrote the FCC concerning a presidential order given last year that gave FEMA delegated authority over the emergency alert system involving presidential activations. However, the agency do not have enough authority to be involved with critical components of the commercial mobile alert system during non-emergency periods. This components include the trust model, aggregator and gateway functions.

In this issue, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin released this statement,

“By adopting technical requirements for the wireless alerting system today, we are enabling wireless providers that choose to participate in this system to begin designing their networks to deliver mobile alerts. It would have been better, of course, if we had a federal entity in place now to take on the role of alert aggregator and gateway. We are hopeful that we have initiated the dialogue that will allow an appropriate federal entity to assume that central role in an expeditious manner."

Some of the officials involved in this project expressed being disheartened by FEMA's unwillingness to fulfill the role since the agency was intimately involved in developing the idea of a unified federal gateway/aggregator. FEMA reportedly suggest that it would be unable to perform this key function for statutory and other reasons.

It seems that a firm candidate for a position that is essential to launching the alert system is missing getting this system. The FCC may be forced to work with its fellow agencies and the Congress to find a federal entity that can fulfill the controversial function due to FEMA’s recent and unexpected interpretation of its statutory authority.

I like the idea of this alert system based on text messages. Mobile phones are so prevalent today so a system based on text messages can be effective. Wireless networks have also expressed interest in the program which is also good news in my opinion. I hope that the parties involved can sort out this mess and a coordinator can be appointed to guide the project.