S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-310

No telephone utility, without the approval of the Commission after due hearing and compliance with all other existing requirements of the laws of the State in relation thereto, may sell, transfer, lease, consolidate, or merge its property, powers, franchises, or privileges or any of them; provided, however, that a telephone cooperative association may acquire or incorporate a subsidiary corporation or a subsidiary cooperative association without the approval of the Commission.