The "big 5" US mobile operators are possibly going to become the "big 4".

MSNBC reports that Verizon is willing to drop a whopping $27 Billion on Alltel, turning them into the largest operator (by far) in the world.

Unlike previous mergers in the mobile marketplace (Sprint+Nextel), this one would be much easier, since both operators use the same wireless technology (CDMA) and even have a very similar handset lineup.

The culture differences between both companies may prove to be the biggest hurdle; Alltel is an highly rated operator, with award winning customer service, and Verizon is known for useless service and mind boggling policies.

It’s also too early to determine whether Verizon would convert Alltel customers into Verizon victims, or leave things the way they are. Either way, Verizon would save millions a year on roaming costs they current pay Alltel. My one hope is that Chad (the Alltel commercial guy) can finally put the "can you hear me now" guy out of his misery. That alone would be worth $27 Billion to me.

Source: MSNBC