The Federal Trade Commission announced the approval – which was officially dated November 29 2013 – on Monday of this week.
The deal, first announced in early September this year, would see Microsoft acquire the mobile business for an estimated €5.44 billion, and the companies are now seeking approval in Europe.
The EU is expected to announce its decision on December 4 2013, and two people close to the situation told UK reporters that they expected to receive unconditional approval.
Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer announced his resignation in August this year, and the company expects to find a replacement before the year end.
