Alltel purchase of Western Wireless (CellularONE)

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Treetop - 10 Jan 2005 17:15 GMT

Any word on what will happen to current Cellular ONE customers? Do they get
to keep their plans or do they have to change to Alltel Plans?

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Tropical Haven - 10 Jan 2005 21:41 GMT

> Any word on what will happen to current Cellular ONE customers? Do they get
> to keep their plans or do they have to change to Alltel Plans?

For anyone that doesn't yet know -- Alltel Communications has agreed to
purchase Western Wireless.

http://tinyurl.com/526ry (Bloomberg)

Western Wireless has been aggressively expanding the digital
technologies in its footprint, including CDMA and GSM. WW offers
CDMA/AMPS service to its own customers, and offers that along with TDMA
and GSM to roamers.

Being that Cingular set a deal with Alltel Communications and some of
the AT&T Wireless markets....does that seem that Cingular and Alltel
might have a 'favorable' relationship?

Just wondering any thoughts on this.

TH

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Bill Radio - 12 Jan 2005 06:37 GMT

Treetop,
It's too early to tell. Since Alltel intends support the entire WW
infrastructure as is, they would be dollars ahead to leave everyone as they
are. They would not want to upset any WW customers enough to make them
leave. But, Alltel offers some more attractive plans than WW, so you may
want to change plans anyway.

Alltel may require a CDMA phone for customers who want to change plans,
though. While they plan to maintain the TDMA network, they will expand only
the CDMA and GSM networks. In general, life should improve significantly
for current C-1/WW customers under Alltel.

Bill Radio
Click for Western U.S. Wireless Reviews at:
http://www.mountainwireless.com

> Any word on what will happen to current Cellular ONE customers? Do they get
> to keep their plans or do they have to change to Alltel Plans?

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Tropical Haven - 14 Jan 2005 00:33 GMT

> Treetop,
> It's too early to tell. Since Alltel intends support the entire WW
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> Click for Western U.S. Wireless Reviews at:
> http://www.mountainwireless.com

Bill --

Have you heard or have any idea on what Alltel's official stance with
GSM will be?

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royc - 14 Jan 2005 01:03 GMT

> Have you heard or have any idea on what Alltel's official stance with

> GSM will be?

Alltel said in their press release slides that the WW GSM and TDMA
networks will remain in operation to support roaming from the major
carriers. Alltel also said that they may even expand their GSM network
to include additional locations where it makes good business sense so
the company can earn more more roaming revenue. Alltel seems to be
embracing Western Wireless's business of being a roaming partner to any
carrier that is interested, regardless of the technology. Alltel will
stay CDMA with their own customers, which was also Western Wireless's
practice.

royc

http://media.corporate-ir.net/media...an05/sld009.htm

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Nate - 14 Jan 2005 02:39 GMT

We won't see any change until January of 2006 from what I understand.
That's when the conversion is currently scheduled for.

>> Have you heard or have any idea on what Alltel's official stance with
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
>http://media.corporate-ir.net/media...an05/sld009.htm

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