BROWSING: Western Wireless
#TBT: Cheap beeps vs. ‘paging on steroids’; Western Wireless’ IPO; ‘cyber doors,’ and other e-commerce artifacts … this week in 1996
Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the top headlines from the past. Fire up the time machine, put on the sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!
'Cheap beeps' vs....
#TBT: RIP Wireless Multimedia Forum; Sprint preps for Virgin Mobile launch; calls for industry consolidation … this week in 2002
Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the top headlines from the past. Fire up the time machine, put on the sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!
RIP WMF
DENVER—The Wireless...
Microsoft names wireless industry veteran Stanton to board
Microsoft’s attempt to refocus efforts into the mobile space gained some heady momentum this week as the computing software giant added wireless industry pioneer John Stanton to its board of directors.
The move will increase Microsoft’s board to 11 members, with Stanton set to join...
Reader Forum: It's all about video
Just a few months ago, AT&T announced that it was purchasing T-Mobile USA for $39 billion. The No. 2 wireless operator will again become the No. 1 operator by buying the No. 4. Dish recently completed its purchase of Blockbuster. It has been a...
Stanton named chairman of Clearwire's board
Clearwire Corp. (CLWR) replaced one wireless industry legend with another today as it announced that John Stanton would replace Craig McCaw as chairman of its board of directors. McCaw left that position at the end of last year, with Clearwire noting that the move...
CEO Insight Series: Frank O'Mara of Alltel
Editor's Note: This is the first in a new series by RCR Wireless News that will seek to interview C-level executives from around the world to gain insight into their challenges and successes. To nominate someone for the series, please e-mail Tracy Ford at...
Wireless pioneer James Dwyer dies at 73
James Dwyer Jr., a pioneer in the wireless industry, has died at the age of 73. Described as a visionary and serial entrepreneur, Dwyer played an instrumental role in the growth and rise of the cellular telecommunications industry worldwide.Dwyer died Friday evening at his...
Third time’s a charm: VZW to acquire Alltel
Verizon Wireless's purchase of Alltel Communication L.L.C. is leaving many gasping for breath. The $28.1 billion purchase of the nation's fifth-largest U.S. mobile operator seems to make sense for Verizon Wireless, both strategically and financially. However, for the private-equity investors who purchased Alltel less...
VZW+Alltel: Hookup could impact roaming
Roaming issues probably tops the list of concerns of Verizon Wireless's planned purchase of Alltel Communications L.L.C. The nation's four largest operators as well as a number of small carriers relied on Alltel and had established partnerships for roaming across what the carrier proclaimed...
It’s official: Verizon Wireless to acquire Alltel and become nation’s largest: Combined carrier would have more than 80 million subscribers
Hours after media reports indicated a deal was close, Verizon Wireless announced an agreement to acquire Alltel Communications L.L.C.for $5.9 billion in cash and assume $22.2 billion in debt, for a total package price of $28.1 billion. If approved, the deal would create the...
Rural Cellular claims Alltel sabotaged divestiture deal
Rural Cellular Corp. sued Alltel Corp. in federal court, accusing the Arkansas-based cellphone operator of undermining a $48 million wireless deal between the two companies.RCC last year completed its purchase of several Minnesota markets from Alltel, a divestiture-related transaction required of the latter company...
DONE DEAL: Sprint Nextel, Clearwire re-merge WiMAX business, bring new investments into operations
Following a rash of rumors earlier this week, and an aborted attempt last year, Sprint Nextel Corp. and Clearwire Corp. said they were going to again combine their WiMAX operations in an attempt to launch a nationwide network. Unlike the last go around, this...
AT&T Mobility/Dobson, Alltel deals get gov’t blessing: But reservations underscore problems complying with E-911, universal service
jscarbo -
Two wireless deals cleared major hurdles last week, but not before strings were attached by government antitrust and regulatory officials.The Justice Department said AT&T Inc. agreed to sell assets in seven rural markets and forgo rights to the Cellular One brand to win approval...
VZW pushes into rural America with RCC buy
jscarbo -
Verizon Wireless backed up its strong second-quarter customer numbers with solid financials and a new acquisition that will make the nation's largest CDMA carrier a roaming provider for GSM services.The carrier announced that it had agreed to buy Rural Cellular Corp. for $2.67 billion,...
Alltel’s new owners have wireless experience
jscarbo -
TPG, formerly Texas Pacific Group, was founded in 1992 and manages more than $30 billion in capital, spread across private equity, venture capital and public equity/debt investing. The company describes its investment philosophy as " value by investing in change-change created by industry trends,...
On robust results, Alltel to discuss strategy options : Wireless revenue climbs 19 percent at Cincinnati Bell
jscarbo -
Alltel Corp. posted robust wireless results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2006, solidifying its position as the largest small player in the wireless space. However, the company's president and CEO, Scott Ford, sparked speculation about Alltel being a possible acquisition target during remarks...
Dobson going with Cellular One name
jscarbo -
Dobson Cellular Systems will change its name, effective March 5, to Cellular One from Dobson Cellular Systems. The firm purchased the Cellular One name last year from Western Wireless Corp. as a condition of Western Wireless' acquisition by Alltel Corp. Next month Dobson will...
Alltel posts strong Q4 results
jscarbo -
Alltel Corp. posted robust wireless results for the fourth quarter and full year 2006, solidifying its position as the largest small player in the wireless space.Alltel reported that its wireless business added 661,638 customers during the fourth quarter of last year, which was a...
Telecom pours PAC money into politics
WASHINGTON-AT&T Inc. and BellSouth Corp., awaiting final federal action on their $79 billion merger and key stakeholders in the telecom reform debate on Capitol Hill, have been among the most generous donors to federal candidates and political parties in the 2006 election cycle. Indeed,...
AT&T is telecom’s top political patron with $2.4M in donations
WASHINGTON—AT&T Inc. and BellSouth Corp., awaiting final federal action on their $79 billion merger and key stakeholders in the telecom reform debate on Capitol Hill, have been among the most generous donors to federal candidates and political parties in the 2006 election cycle. Indeed,...
MyCircle rate plan boosts postpaid numbers at Alltel
Alltel Corp.'s MyCircle calling plan has given the carrier a boost in postpaid customers, and the company is on track to expand its CDMA2000 1x EV-DO coverage to about 60 percent of its markets by the end of the year. Kevin Beebe, Alltel's group...
Alltel strikes dual-technology roaming deals
PALM SPRINGS, Calif.-Alltel Corp. last week expanded its role as the go-to roaming carrier, announcing major reciprocal roaming agreements with Cingular Wireless L.L.C. and Sprint Nextel Corp. that put the nation's fifth-largest operator in a position to provide voice and data roaming for as...
Alltel expands roaming horizon with Cingular, Sprint Nextel
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Rural carrier Alltel Corp. beefed up its coverage through a pair of nationwide reciprocal roaming agreements with larger rivals Sprint Nextel Corp. and Cingular Wireless L.L.C. Alltel’s 10-year deal with Sprint Nextel begins July 1 and covers CDMA voice services along with...
Regional carriers post mixed 1Q
Wireless drove revenue growth at Alltel Corp. and aided Qwest Communications International Inc. with success in bundling services in the first quarter of 2006, but regional wireless operator SunCom Wireless Holdings Inc. had a rough quarter and was roundly punished for it by Wall...