WASHINGTON-U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan plans to hold a hearing Dec. 16 on a Justice Department plan to modify a 1995 antitrust decree imposed on Nextel Communications Inc.
The proposed DOJ-Nextel settlement, which is opposed by small and medium-sized dispatch radio operators, would let Nextel acquire more 900 MHz frequencies. In addition, Nextel would be barred from acquiring most of Geotek Communications Inc.’s 900 MHz licenses, which it bought last year at a bankruptcy auction for $150 million.
If the pact is approved by Hogan, Nextel could acquire Geotek’s wireless permits in October because Justice agreed to halve the 10-year term of the decree.
