Although some details are still being worked out, Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission officials are preparing to approve the deal in the coming weeks, people familiar with the matter said. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski is expected to begin the process this week by circulating a proposal to approve the deal among the agency's four other commissioners, according to several agency officials.
The Justice Department is also preparing to drop its objections to the deal after the companies agreed in principle to limit the duration of the joint ventures to five years or less, after which they will have to reapply for antitrust clearance for a new tie-up, people familiar with the discussions said. Verizon and Comcast have also agreed not to implement the joint marketing agreement in areas where the two companies currently compete for internet, TV and phone service.
The FCC is also expected to impose a few additional conditions on the deal, including requirements that Verizon Wireless offer data roaming to competitors at reasonable rates and use its airwaves within a few years.
