Several states this week blessed the pending union of CenturyTel Inc. (CTL) and its larger rival, Embarq Corp. (EQ).
Regulators in Georgia, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska and Ohio have approved the $11.6 billion deal that’s already been approved by the FTC and the companies’ respective investors.
The rural LECs first announced the transaction last October; it’s expected to close in the second quarter of this year. When details are completed, the combined company will operate in 33 states, boast approximately 7.7 million access lines and have 2 million broadband users.
