US: New York approves CenturyLink-Level 3 merger

The completion of the US$34 billion acquisition of Level 3 Communications by CenturyLink is inching closer to completion.

Broomfield, Colorado-based Level 3 and Louisiana-based CenturyLink said that four additional states have given their blessing to the acquisition — including Colorado — making a total of 19 states and two territories that have given their OK, as the Federal Communications Commission continues its review of the deal.

The latest states to approve the deal, including Colorado, were Alaska, New York and Pennsylvania.

“The two companies continue to expect to receive the remaining state, federal and international approvals in time to complete the merger by Sept. 30, 2017,” the companies said in a statement.

In May, two California consumer advocacy groups said they want California regulators to further scrutinize the deal.

Last month, CenturyLink was accused by a former employee who claimed she was fired after raising concerns about the company’s sales techniques that charged customers millions of dollars for services they didn’t request. CenturyLink said it was taking “these allegations seriously and are diligently investigating this matter.”

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