Verizon's Alltel buy raises questions. (cover story)

VERIZON Communications Inc. VZ; ALLTEL Wireless (Company)

The article reports on the questions that yet to be settled in the completion of Verizon Wireless Inc.'s acquisition of Alltel Wireless for $28.1 billion in the U.S. Two emerging questions center on how the deal will affect current customers and that how likely is the government not to interfere on it. The acquisition will serve the 13 million additional wireless customers and will push the company's total number of subscribers in the U.S. to an estimated 80 million. Alltel will bring expanded network coverage into rural areas with most of its coverage concentrated in the Southeastern, Midwestern and Southwestern states.