Free Press Urges Careful Scrutiny on Verizon/Alltel Merger
June 5, 2008
Press Release
WASHINGTON — Today, Verizon Wireless agreed to buy Alltel Corp. for $5.9 billion. According to the Associated Press, this deal would make Verizon the largest cellular carrier in the United States.
Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, made the following statement:
“The deal raises serious concerns for consumers. The wireless industry is rapidly being taken over by the same companies that dominate the broadband and DSL marketplace. The proposed merger between Verizon Wireless and Alltel appears to hasten this consolidation. We urge regulators to give this merger careful scrutiny with a steady eye toward promoting the competitive wireless marketplace consumers demand.”
Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, made the following statement:
“The deal raises serious concerns for consumers. The wireless industry is rapidly being taken over by the same companies that dominate the broadband and DSL marketplace. The proposed merger between Verizon Wireless and Alltel appears to hasten this consolidation. We urge regulators to give this merger careful scrutiny with a steady eye toward promoting the competitive wireless marketplace consumers demand.”