Alltel/WW merger divest Nebraska

They said on the webcast they probably won't.
I say they probably have to. Those markets are very rural. PCS providers do have a network along I-80 so those markets may not be divested. But I do think the the markets north of I-80 will probably have to be divested, becasuse the FCC is not going to let 1/2 the cities in Nebraska have 1 provider. Kansas markets could go either way.

We will just have to wait until this summer to find out for sure.

 

I agree; I can't imagine that Alltel won't have to divest the rural portions of the Nebraska WW property... if ever divestiture was appropriate, I think this would be the time. Even though Viaero is rapidly building out their network, it'll probably be at least another year or two before their coverage is comparable with that of Alltel. And even then, Viaero doesn't have licenses to cover the eastern 1/3 of the state, which would still be left with only one provider.

Personally, I doubt Verizon would be interested in making a purchase, as they already have the old Qwest PCS spectrum that covers the majority of the population in Nebraska. I'd be surprised if they ever even do anything with it--they don't seem to be interested in rural areas.

I predict US Cellular will snatch up the property. But Viaero might also be interested in some 800mhz spectrum as well as filling in the eastern portions of the state, if they can come up with the money. I'm anxious to see how this plays out!

 

My guess is also USCC

 

Cingular, or RCC for GSM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

here is my picks!
probably Interested: US Cellular, Rural Celluar, Cingular Wireless

maybe interested: Verizon Wireless, Viaero, Indigo Wireless

probably not Dobson (probably don't have the cash due to RFB) and all others

Dark Horse Commnet Wireless :lol:

 

Does alltel have any properties in the northeast (licenses) other than a connecticut market? I could see USCC buying for possibly a swap, as has happened in the past. Could they (USCC) possibly think about trading tenessee, or the virginia/md markets, or even the northeast?

 

No, Litchfield County is the only (pending) license that Alltel has in the northeast. By itself, it doesn't really make sense. Either they have plans to expand in this area or they will sell this property to someone else. Does anyone know how "committed" USCC is to their New England properties? I could see Alltel buying the USCC New England properties as part of their policy of expanding coverage in areas where the big 4 carriers don't have a lot of presence. If they worked a deal that included a swap of NB and KS overlaps from the WW purchase, this could be readily affordable for Alltel.

royc

 

yes, I tend to agree. I could see USCC selling off another region in order to expand the midwest further. Anyone think they would consider selling the northwest?

They canned texas, florida, etc.
I'm guessing the rest of the southeast is next, VA, MD, WV, TN...