ALLTEL to Acquire Wireless Assets from U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom

[DanPFW]

This doesn't look like too big of deal, at least in WI. It would appear that Alltel already offers service, and is just buying out USCC's investment in most of the markets. If anything, maybe USCC is trying to position itself to aqcuire someone else? It would appear customers in OH will be better off, but in FL, it looks like people would've been better off if Cingular would've gotten the market.

Now, if one of the current MN carriers would buy CMS, we could get a little more seemlessness in the network here as well.


http://ir.thomsonfn.com/InvestorRela...storyid=118599

ALLTEL will acquire partnership interests in seven ALLTEL-operated markets in Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin. The partnerships include the major metro areas of Burlington, Fayetteville, Raleigh and Durham, N.C.; Jackson, Miss.; and Eau Claire, Wis.

ALLTEL also will purchase wireless properties in Fort Pierce, Fla., and southeastern Ohio. The Fort Pierce market includes St. Lucie and Martin counties. The southeastern Ohio market includes Jackson, Gallia, Pike, Ross and Scioto counties.

[agentHibby]

I knew Alltel would get Fort Pierce. AT&T/Cingular won't need it because of the merger. Verizon really does not need it so Alltel was the only logical choice. I am sure Verizon may have wanted those markets in southern ohio.

[Cailiff04]

YAY!! More Alltel coverage for us alltel users =)




Alltel rocks!!

[roamer1]

Originally Posted by DanPFW

ALLTEL also will purchase wireless properties in Fort Pierce, Fla., and southeastern Ohio. The Fort Pierce market includes St. Lucie and Martin counties. The southeastern Ohio market includes Jackson, Gallia, Pike, Ross and Scioto counties.

Fort Pierce going to ALLTEL is no surprise -- that market is isolated from other USCC properties and Cingular, the other logical buyer, no longer needs it because of the AT&T merger and its own 1900 spectrum. The Fort Pierce market is barely connected to ALLTEL's southwestern FL market by way of Lake Okeechobee...so now they can say they span from the Gulf to the Atlantic.

SE Ohio is a bit of a surprise...but it's really good news, since it includes Chillicothe and some other areas which have been problems for VZW/ALLTEL customers for awhile.

The partnership transactions are meaningless as far as end customers go since ALLTEL is already the majority partner and runs the systems in those areas.

-SC

[roamer1]

Originally Posted by agentHibby

I knew Alltel would get Fort Pierce. AT&T/Cingular won't need it because of the merger. Verizon really does not need it so Alltel was the only logical choice. I am sure Verizon may have wanted those markets in southern ohio.

VZW doesn't WANT Fort Pierce -- they want to be 1900-only in FL. I have a very strong feeling Bay County (VZW's sole 850 holding in FL) will get sold to AT&T/Cingular before too long...

-SC

[jones]

Originally Posted by Cailiff04

YAY!! More Alltel coverage for us alltel users =)

Alltel rocks!!

This is not more coverage to Alltel.
Alltel is already using this Network.
It's more of a transfer of ownership, Like taking the option to buy after the lease term on a car is over.

[agentHibby]

Originally Posted by roamer1

VZW doesn't WANT Fort Pierce -- they want to be 1900-only in FL. I have a very strong feeling Bay County (VZW's sole 850 holding in FL) will get sold to AT&T/Cingular before too long...
-SC

What would Verizon get for the that 850 license in the old Price Communications market?? I am sure Verizon would want more than just cash for that market.

[SQFreak]

Originally Posted by jones

This is not more coverage to Alltel.
Alltel is already using this Network.
It's more of a transfer of ownership, Like taking the option to buy after the lease term on a car is over.

I would think Alltel prefers VZW's 1900MHz network in the Fort Pierce area to the USCC network that Alltel is acquiring. Am I wrong?

[agentHibby]

I am sure that they would not buy it unless Alltel wanted it. I would guess that Verizon is in higher proirity right now than USCC is in Fort Pierce since it is still TDMA there. Any word if USCC or Alltel will convert that market to CDMA??

[whodunnit]

Speaking for the Southern Ohio market, it's very well established by US Cellular. They were one of the first providers there. I find it ironic that a day after I decide to go with Alltel I read this post. I'm in Va. Beach and that was my biggest concern was roaming on U.S. Cellular in that area of southern Ohio.