Wraith
05-11-2009, 12:07 PM
Verizon/Alltel agreed to give up several markets to other carriers as a condition of their merger. AT&T recently announced (http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=26803) that it plans to buy a large portion of these divested markets for $2.35 billion.AT&T today announced a definitive agreement to acquire wireless assets from Verizon Wireless for $2.35 billion in cash. Under terms of the agreement, AT&T will acquire wireless properties, including licenses, network assets and 1.5 million current subscribers in 79 service areas, primarily in rural areas across 18 states. Verizon Wireless is required to divest these properties as part of the regulatory approvals granted for its purchase of Alltel earlier this year. The states represented are: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.
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After operations transition to AT&T, the primarily rural subscribers added through this transaction will be able to experience mobile broadband on all the smartphones AT&T offers.
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The transaction is contingent upon regulatory approval and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2009.A map of the divested areas can be found here (http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1455277) (in red and dark blue). Apparently U.S. Cellular is interested in some of the remaining markets that AT&T isn't picking up.
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After operations transition to AT&T, the primarily rural subscribers added through this transaction will be able to experience mobile broadband on all the smartphones AT&T offers.
...
The transaction is contingent upon regulatory approval and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2009.A map of the divested areas can be found here (http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1455277) (in red and dark blue). Apparently U.S. Cellular is interested in some of the remaining markets that AT&T isn't picking up.