Dobson Completes Purchase of Alaska Markets

Dobson Communications Completes Purchase of Alaska Markets
Friday August 4, 7:30 am ET
Company Initiates Upgrade of Networks in Kodiak and Nome


OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug. 4, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Dobson Communications Corporation (NASDAQCEL - News), announced today that it has completed the acquisition of the wireless assets in Kodiak, Alaska of New Horizons Telecom, Inc. and Kodiak Electric Association, Inc. and the wireless assets in Nome, Alaska of Sitnasuak Native Corporation and SNC Telecommunications, Inc.
Dobson purchased the assets in Kodiak and Nome for $2 million. The Company acquired 25 MHz of spectrum in Kodiak and in Nome, both in the 850 MHz spectrum band. The acquired networks were analog, but Dobson has already begun to upgrade them to state-of-the-art GSM/GPRS/EDGE technology, with satellite backhaul to link the two markets with the rest of the state and with other U.S. and international markets. The upgrades are scheduled to be completed by the end of September 2006.

With this 2.5-generation technology, wireless customers in Kodiak and Nome will have full access to advanced voice and high-speed data services, including wireless e-mail and Internet-based products. The upgraded networks will support the most advanced new voice handsets, as well as the full range of BlackBerry data devices.

Marketing under the Cellular One(R) brand, the Company plans to include the Kodiak and Nome markets in its Alaska-wide rate plans. For the first time, GSM customers from other parts of the state will be able to ``roam'' into these markets and use the full range of advanced voice and data services. Currently, no wireless roaming service is available in Nome.

``We are committed to extending state-of-the-art voice and data wireless services to these communities in Alaska, linking them to the state's premier wireless network,'' said Steve Dussek, president and chief executive officer.

The Kodiak market is part of Alaska 2 Rural Service Area (RSA), and Nome is in Alaska 1 RSA, most of which are already served by Dobson Communications under the Cellular One brand.