Verizon Wireless receives approval for Qwest buy

Qwest Communications International Inc. confirmed it has received anti-trust approval from the government for the $418 million sale of its wireless assets to Verizon Wireless. The sale, announced in June, includes Qwest’s CDMA-based infrastructure and spectrum licenses covering 62 markets in the West and Midwest. A Qwest spokeswoman said the deal is expected to close later this year, and the carrier is continuing to transfer its more than 800,000 subscribers to Sprint PCS’ network as part of a mobile virtual network operator deal announced last year. Qwest originally hoped to have its customers transferred to Sprint PCS’ network earlier this year, but has admitted the move has not gone as smoothly as expected.