FCC will consider Verizon/RCC merger at Aug. 1 meeting

At its Aug. 1 meeting, the FCC will likely evaluate the pending $2.67 billion merger between Verizon Communications and Rural Cellular Corp. The merger, which was announced in July 2007, would allow Verizon to expand its footprint. In addition, the company said that the deal would save it more than $1 billion in synergies in reduced roaming and OPEX expenses. RCC's customer base is 716,000 and it operates in about 15 states.

Antitrust officials at the Justice Department already have indicated they would approve the deal if Verizon gets rid of some of its spectrum in six markets in Vermont, New York and Washington.

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