A possible merger between Verizon and Comcast has been rumoured for a long time now, and every development seems to send opinion veering one way or the other. The outcome of the recent 600 MHz incentive auction raised new speculation that, once the ‘quiet period’ surrounding the process was over, the telco would make its move. That was based on the fact that Verizon sat back and did not buy any spectrum, while Comcast was a top three bidder. Pundits thought that signified plans to pool resources at some stage before the spectrum was activated. Then Verizon announced a $1bn-plus deal to deploy fiber from Corning (see separate item), which sent opinion back the other way. Clearly the cablecos’ fiber…