Verizon tries to pave way for Unicel deal

November 22, 2007

Verizon Wireless has offered to divest Unicel's overlapping network in Vermont in hopes of winning government approval to acquire the smaller cellular phone company for $2.67 billion in cash and debt.

Verizon Wireless made its offer in a document asking the Federal Communications Commission to reconsider its decision to extend the comment period by 90 days on Verizon Wireless' proposed acquisition of Unicel. The original comment period ended Nov. 13. The extension was sought by the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

"VPIRG bases its extension request on concerns about the potential effects on competition of a combination of Verizon Wireless and RCC (Unicel) in the state of Vermont," Verizon Wireless stated in its filing with the FCC. "However, since mid-September Verizon Wireless...

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