What is to become of Edge Wireless and Suncom?

[ILUVSOCAL]

Ideas? Opinions?

[ehcruzan]

They're probably asking the same questions [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[roamer1]

IMO, Edge will likely get eaten by CingAT&T, and T-Mobile wil try to eat SunCom -- and possibly acquire spectrum from CingAT&T as well -- to fix the Carolinas coverage gap.

-SC

[ShoresGuy]

Good ideas and where does this merger business leave Cincinnati Bell? AT&T owns 22% of them as well.

[ILUVSOCAL]

I agree Roamer, in fact, Cingular has inherited the exclusive option that AT&T had to buy Edge Wireless out within 2 years, I bet they do it within the next few months, at the least, Edge will have to change all their literature and signage! They have a big AT&T neon logo in their store in Ukiah, guess that'll be an Orange Jack soon [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]




Edge Wireless, a member of the Cingular Wireless Network

[ILUVSOCAL]

I just found this press release on Edge Wireless's site, they don't mention it, but I bet they are not far off from being swallowed up by Cingular. As far as not being affected, I think they will, Cingular will no doubt excercise their option to buy them out, and in the mean time, Edge Wireless will gain access (I guess?) to both AT&T and Cingular's network as preferred partners.

"News Release
February 19, 2004
For Immediate Release


Contacts: Darla Pomeroy, Director of Business Development, 425.922.3540


Edge Wireless, LLC Customers Unaffected by Cingular LLC Acquisition of AT&T Wireless

(Bend, OR) Cingular Wireless LLC announced on Tuesday an agreement to acquire AT&T Wireless . According to a press release issued by the companies, this will "creat[e] the premier wireless carrier in the United States. Today, the combined company would have 46 million customers and one of the most advanced digital networks in the U.S., with spectrum in 49 states and coverage in 97 of the top 100 markets. The combined 2003 annual revenues of the two companies would have exceeded $32 billion."

Edge Wireless customers will not be affected by this announcement. Although AT&T Wireless is a minority investor in Edge Wireless, Edge Wireless' day-to-day operations are autonomous and the Edge Wireless management team remains committed to providing Edge customers with the same high quality mobile voice and data service that they enjoy today. Today, Edge Wireless offers its customers the choice between state-of-the-art TDMA and GSM/GPRS technologies, a range of calling plans, including nation-wide roaming plans, as well as convenient local dealer and retail locations.

"We at Edge always focus on providing our customers with the premier wireless service available," stated Donnie Castleman, Edge Wireless President and COO. "Our customers have always been able to expect the best in terms of system, technology, rate plans and customer service, and we are proud to say that they will continue to receive it. "

Edge Wireless, LLC, headquartered in Bend, Oregon, offers service in Oregon, California, Idaho and Wyoming. Edge Wireless is a member of the AT&T Wireless Network. All inquiries regarding Edge Wireless should be directed to Darla Pomeroy at 425.922.3540. Edge Wireless is a service mark of Edge Wireless, LLC. © 2004 Edge Wireless LLC. "

One note, they are now a member of the Cingular Wireless Network [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

[WirelessBeachBum]

T-mobile with gobble Suncom up before the end of the 1st quarter 2005.

[hillbilly44]

Sorry Guys but Suncom will be part of Cingular.Cingular will take all the specturm it can get plus Suncom fills in a gap between Cingular's East Tennessee & Carolina Markets and the DC market.

[WirelessBeachBum]

Bellsouth DCS had allot of North Carolina covered already so Cingular will not need to purchase that area...my bets are still on T-Mobile

[jayc]

Cingular would have no interest in Suncom's east TN assets.

[jas16]

Where I work, we sell SunCom service along several other carriers. My boss has received an e-mail stating not to worry about anything and that SunCom will continue to operate as normal. The way the e-mail is written and by what the rep at the local said, it seems like SunCom is happy this is happening. They say that now they will have better coverage.

[ILUVSOCAL]

Edge says the same thing, better coverage now, though I still feel Cingular will buy them out per their exclusive option to do so inherited from AT&T Wireless, they already provide a lot of Cingular's coverage in Nor Cal, Sou Ore, SE Idaho and W Wyo, by the way, Cingular holds licenses for all of California, though as in the case of Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, Siskiyou, Lassen and Plumas Counties, they haven't built out their network, so Edge is instant network, without having to build out.