Consumers could soon see a number of competing choices for their nationwide wireless service, under a pair of deals approved by federal regulators.

The Federal Communications Commission's wireless and international bureaus Thursday signed off on a partnership and merger which would create two new major players in the market for national wireless service. The bureaus approved the transfer of wireless licenses from Bell Atlantic and Vodafone to Cellco Partnership, the business that will serve as the vehicle for the two companies' U.S. wireless partnership. In addition, the bureaus are permitting Aerial Communications to transfer its licenses to VoiceStream Wireless, positioning that business to have a major national presence as well. Bureau approval is the final regulatory step, and a vote by the FCC commissioners is not required. FCC staff determined that the deals do not present competitive concerns and instead will provide benefits to the public. Bell Atlantic and Vodafone, by transferring their licenses to Cellco, a Bell Atlantic subsidiary, will create a nationwide wireless business with the ability to reach 90 percent of the United States, 49 of the top 50 wireless markets, and 209 million people. Cellco will be the means for combining the two companies' cellular, PCS, paging and other U.S. wireless operations, once they have completed their pending partnership. The two companies have said they intend to initiate a national one-rate service to compete with existing wireless carriers.