The US Department of Justice on Thursday approved Verizon Wireless' acquisition of Alltel Communications, bringing through a deal that weighs in at $28 billion. RCR Wireless News reports that the deal, which was first officially acknowledged in early June, will provide Verizon with wireless assets in 100 markets, spread over 22 states, including North and South Dakota, Carolina, Utah, and Wyoming, among others.

While approved by the Department of Justice, the FCC has still to vote on the issue, considering things such as roaming conditions. All told, if the FCC green lights the deal, Verizon would become larger than AT&T.

As previously detailed, Alltel will also benefit from the merger, such as advancing its available technologies like 4G LTE, access to an over-the-air music store, national coverage sans roaming fees, among other things.