WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission is asking mobile-phone carriers to supply highly detailed data about their calling plans in connection with the agency’s review of the proposed $35 billion merger of Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc.
FCC letters, dated May 6 but only recently released, were sent to Western Wireless Corp., Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA Inc., SouthernLinc, Nextel Partners, Sprint, Nextel Communications, Cingular Wireless L.L.C. and Alltel Corp.
The FCC is seeking month-by-month analyses of the billing plans-including minutes used, subscriber counts, cancellations, roaming and long-distance toll charges, promotions and overage charges-from Jan. 1, 2004, through Jan. 1, 2005.
The data request follows recent FCC letters to Sprint and Nextel seeking additional information on the deal. The combination of No. 3 Sprint PCS and No. 5 Nextel would still keep the merged entity behind No. 2 Verizon Wireless and No. 1 Cingular Wireless.
The Sprint-Nextel transaction is expected to be approved by federal officials later this year.
