The Oregon Public Utility Commission on Thursday issued an order approving the pending merger between Qwest Communications and CenturyLink Inc., the first- and third-largest telephone service providers in the state, according to a news release from the companies. This is the final approval needed to complete the merger.

When the merger is finalized, the combined company will serve about 800,000 access lines in the state. As part of the approval process, the companies committed to investing at least $45 million in broadband infrastructure in Oregon over five years.

The companies expect to close the merger and combine operations on April 1. As previously announced, the combined company will use the name CenturyLink.