ATLANTA-GTE Corp. increased its cellular market presence by completing the acquisition of Contel Cellular Inc. and effecting a transition of all operations into the GTE Mobilnet unit.
GTE purchased 90 percent of Contel Corp. in 1991. The other 10 percent remained publicly owned until earlier this month when GTE acquired the shares. Combining markets increases GTE’s presence in metropolitan areas from 46 to 75.
Mark Feighner, president of GTE Mobilnet, said the newly consolidated unit will offer customers a much broader network and “a wireless package that encompasses voice and data services, paging and other new services as they become available.” As a result of merging operations, GTE named 10 area presidents.
GTE said it will phase the GTE Mobilnet name into former Contel Cellular markets to give customers time to become aware of and acclimate to the change. In California markets, operations will continue under both names, as required by a California Public Utilities Commission order.
Feighner noted the company will continue its aggressive approach in the marketplace. GTE was first in the United States and Canada to eliminate daily access roaming charges in wireline, B-side markets, and set a maximum airtime charge of 99 cents per minute when roaming in these markets, GTE said. Through its GlobalRoam program, GTE is working with a European carrier to offer customers international roaming capability as well, Feighner said.
