APPROVAL: The Justice Department’s antitrust division has approved Verizon Wireless’s deals to buy spectrum from four of the nation’s largest cable companies. Verizon Wireless is paying $3.9 billion for the spectrum, which will allow it to expand its high-speed wireless broadband network.
HESITATION: There were worries the deals would harm competition by reducing incentives to compete, resulting in higher prices and lower quality for the public.
THE CONDITIONS: To protect the public, Verizon Wireless stores won’t be able to sell TV and broadband services from the cable companies in areas where Verizon sells its own TV and broadband service.
