The agency's chairman circulated an order to his fellow commissioners to approve the $48.5 billion merger. He said the move would increase competition in the broadband space.
The tech giant will replace the telecoms giant after the close of trading March 18. The change, effective March 19, was prompted by stock splits announced by Apple and Visa.
The Federal Communications Commission will decide this month whether the Internet should be regulated as a public utility. In speeches, CEOs alternately have predicted a chilling effect or no impact.