US authorities have approved the merger of America Online and Time Warner, effectively giving the companies a green light to complete their historic union.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that the agency approved the deal and imposed three additional restrictions beyond those already required by the Federal Trade Commission.
The FCC conditions are "designed to protect the open, competitive nature of the Internet," commissioner William Kennard said during a press conference.
The conditions apply to three specific areas: Internet access over high-speed cable lines, instant messaging via cable lines and ownership issues between AT&T and Time Warner.
The FCC vote to approve the merger was unanimous, although two of the five commissioners voted did not want to impose any conditions.
The merger will create a media and Internet giant with a market capitalization of about US$205 billion.
