*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 50912.doc* STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER KATHLEEN Q. ABERNATHY In the Matter of Applications of Nextel Communications, Inc. and Sprint Corporation for Consent to Transfer Control of Licenses and Authorizations, WT Docket No. 05- 63. Today, we inject a healthy and strengthened dose of intermodal competition into an already competitive U. S. communications market. By approving this transaction, we allow the creation of the nation’s largest independent wireless carrier; one that will be a stronger and more robust competitor to wireline and other nationwide wireless carriers. While I have agreed to support the conditions mutually agreed upon between the Applicants and some of my colleagues, I am pleased that we do not impose extensive and unnecessary conditions on our approval. It would be a mistake to hamstring the merged entity’s ability to provide the anticipated pro-competitive services to U. S. consumers. 1