Verizon is set to become the largest carrier in the U.S. in terms of the number of subscriptions as the Alltel merger is about to be finalized. Verizon will add about 13.2 million Alltel subscribers to its 66 million current base, edging AT&T as the top carrier in the U.S. with 78 million subscribers. AT&T has about 72 million subscribers. Verizon will take on $22.2 billion in Alltel debt as part of the merger. Both companies failed to discuss possible job cuts as a result of the merger and consolidation. Job cuts should be expected in this case given the magnitude of the merger. Both companies use the CDMA network standard.