FCC working to approve Sprint / Clearwire and Verizon / Alltel mergers by the end of the year

The FCC doesn't exactly have a track record of swiftness when it comes to reviewing mergers, but it looks like that little election thing might have lit a couple grey suits on fire -- FCC chairman Kevin Martin says that the agency is aiming to finish looking over the Sprint / Clearwire and Verizon / Alltel deals by the end of the year. That's right before a new administration takes over and potentially gums up the process, so we're guessing it'll be approvals all around, since rejecting the bids would result in some fun lawsuits for everyone, but we'll see how things shake out.

[Justin E @ Sep 29th 2008 2:10PM]

"Alltell" in the title should be Alltel

[Mycroft @ Sep 29th 2008 2:31PM]

"That's right before a new administration takes over and potentially gums up the process."

To put it another way, before the current political hacks that run the FCC are fired and replaced by other political hacks.

[OnlyShawn @ Sep 29th 2008 3:19PM]

Not exactly. From wiki: "The FCC is directed by five Commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for 5-year terms, except when filling an unexpired term. The President designates one of the Commissioners to serve as Chairperson. Only three Commissioners may be members of the same political party. None of them can have a financial interest in any Commission-related business"

[kjb434 @ Sep 29th 2008 2:39PM]

So the FCC is going to kill Chad before the end of the year? HAHA

I want to see the commercial with the Verizon guy having Chad tied up and saying you will convert to me! HAHA

[Warren @ Sep 29th 2008 2:47PM]

The commercial will probably be something along the lines of:

T-Mobile guy, ATT guy and Sprint guy catch Chad and Verizon Guy being friendly and the 3 of them get pissed.

What would i LIKE to see?

The Verizon test guy come and beat the shit out of Chad and say "Can you hear me now, bitch!?!"

[Chad @ Sep 29th 2008 2:52PM]

HEY!

That's not right!

[JohnnyGTO @ Sep 29th 2008 3:28PM]

We are Verizon, you will be assimilated .

Sorry, could not help myself.

[RC @ Sep 29th 2008 2:40PM]

Title should be working to "review" instead of "approve".

[jalapeno @ Nov 5th 2008 11:15AM]

It's approved!
FCC approves Sprint, Clearwire merger
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/FCC-approves-Sprint-Clearwire-merger/story.aspx?guid={C4A93213-06F4-4ED0-83BC-3777B06DAE9A}