WASHINGTON-The Justice Department will require SBC Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corp. to divest wireless licenses in 16 markets throughout three states as an antitrust condition for a joint venture that will create the second-largest mobile phone company in the nation.
The divestitures include wireless properties in Los Angeles, Indianapolis, and New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La. SBC previously announced plans to sell its Indianapolis interests to AT&T Wireless Services Inc. and New Orleans to Alltel Corp. A decision on Los Angeles will be made by Dec. 18.
“We are pleased with the Department of Justice’s decision, which came after a thorough and comprehensive review,” said Stephen Carter, president and chief executive officer of the joint-venture company. “This approval is a major step toward the launch of a world-class national wireless company.”
BellSouth said the new company will serve more than 18 million customers and 175 million potential customers in 34 states, the District of Columbia and two U.S. territories.
