The FCC approved the SBC Communications / AT&T and Verizon Communications / MCI mergers this afternoon after several days of intense discussions and delays.

Of particular interest is the requirement that SBC and Verizon offer "naked DSL" access, as well as a strong commitment to "network neutrality."  What the former means is that DSL service will have to be "unbundled" — in other words it has to be sold as a stand-alone product.  So Verizon, for example, cannot force customers to sign up for its circuit-switched voice service in order to be allowed to buy DSL service.

Neutrality means that Internet subscribers must be allowed to use any IP service, such as VoIP, over their Internet connection.  The companies will not be allowed to block subscribers from content.