For months now we have been hearing from readers asking when the technical gurus over at our sister organization Consumer Reports would be providing ratings and reviews on digital TV converter boxes. We are happy to announce that the wait is over and, in even happier news, it looks like some of the cheaper DTV converter boxes now on the market work just as well – or even better – than more expensive models.

This morning Verizon Wireless announced plans to acquire Alltel in a $27 billion deal that, if approved, will create the country’s largest wireless phone company. It's incumbent on government regulators to protect consumers as they review this latest -- and biggest -- mega merger in the already concentrated wireless business.