*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 60056.doc* STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS Re: Applications of Midwest Wireless Holdings L. L. C. and ALLTEL Communications, Inc. For Consent to Transfer Control of Licenses and Authorizations, WT Docket No. 05- 339, Memorandum Opinion and Order. I approve this merger for substantially the same reasons I gave in approving in the larger and analytically comparable merger between ALLTEL and Western Wireless last year. In light of the divestitures required by the Department of Justice, I am satisfied that this merger will not reduce competition below the level we have found acceptable in earlier mergers. I am also troubled by ALLTEL’s disappointing penetration rate of E911- enabled handsets. As I explained in our prior decision, our merger standards require us to look at “citizenship, character, financial, technical, and other qualifications” and I believe that a corporation’s compliance with our public safety regulations fit squarely under this rubric. 1