Verizon plans to unload 15% of Alltel customers

Back in June we mentioned all the legal wrangling going on between Verizon and Alltel - some of it related to the former's $28.1 billion purchase of the later, and some not.

It became pretty apparent that Verizon would have to sell off some of the Alltel markets to keep the feds happy, and that's just what it's planning to do. Verizon says it will unload its interests in 85 markets in 18 states - about 15 percent of its 13 million subscribers.

Who needs to keep an eye on this?

Verizon Wireless said the markets — mostly rural service areas — encompass wireless assets that overlap with those of Alltel throughout North Dakota and South Dakota as well certain areas in California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

Look for AT&T, Leap Wireless, Metro PCS and others to scoop up the homeless subscribers.

RCR Wireless (via Engadget Mobile [via PhoneScoop])