You may recall me talking about the then recent merger of Verizon Wireless and Alltel, back in this post. Part of that $28.1 billion deal and to gain regulatory approval for the Alltel acquisition, Verizon Wireless was required to divest airwaves in 105 markets.

AT&T is reportedly close to a $2.5 billion deal to acquire the bulk of Alltel Wireless assets being divested by Verizon Communications Inc. and is expected to buy 18 of 24 assets being divested, the sources said. The remaining six assets remain up for bid, with interested parties including private equity firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co and other wireless carriers, such as US Cellular.

At that close of the Verizon/Alltel deal Verizon had surpassed AT&T with the most wireless subscribers, however now do to the required divesting new numbers are not available. It is expected that AT&T has closed the gap some, but Verizon still remains in the lead.