Leap Wireless asks FCC to kill Verizon-Alltel deal

Reuters is reporting that earlier today Leap Wireless petitioned the FCC to put a halt to the Verizon-Alltel merger deal. The small CDMA carrier says that were the deal to go forth as planned, it would drastically decrease competition in the industry while making it harder for small carriers like itself to negotiate roaming agreements.

Leap currently has roaming agreements with both Verizon and Alltel, but Leap is saying that unless the FCC were to nix the deal or start to regulate roaming agreements, its customers could end up with no service in certain areas of the country. Leap is pushing for regulated roaming agreements that would force carriers to provide access to both voice and data service.

Last week Verizon wireless stated that it would honor any roaming agreements that Alltel currently has with other carriers.

Leap Wireless markets its services through two of its subsidiaries, Cricket Communications and Jump Mobile.