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Verizon this week officially became the nation’s largest wireless operator, finalizing their $27 billion deal to acquire Alltel. Verizon is paying $5.9 billion and acquiring $22.2 billion in Alltel debt, and will in turn get about 13 million new customers — for a total of 83 million customers. For reference, AT&T has 74.9 million, Sprint has 50.5 million, and T-Mobile has 32.1 million. While consumer advocates fought the deal, saying it would only serve to reduce competition, it was approved by the FTC, FCC and Justice Department.

Alltel customers are now included in the Mobile to Mobile calling family of Verizon Wireless. Verizon customers have unlimited calling to Alltel customers in place, though Alltel customers still have to pay — for the time being. Verizon Wireless customers can check to see if their friend’s numbers are eligible for unlimited Mobile to Mobile minutes by using this tool.

According to the post, Verizon plans to convert Alltel customers to Verizon Wireless billing within two to three months, with a full brand conversion within six months.

There’s a full integration FAQ at the Verizon website here.