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AT&T to buy Dobson, expand coverage
updated 09:25 pm EDT, Fri June 29, 2007
AT&T to expand coverage
AT&T today announced that it will purchase wireless carrier Dobson Communications for $2.8 billion in cash, which will expand AT&T's own network coverage into rural areas. AT&T will pay $13 per share representing an almost 17 percent premium over Dobson's $11.11 share price as of 4:00 p.m., according to the Wall Street Journal. Dobson, which is based in Oklahoma City, handles wireless services in rural and suburban areas mostly in the Midwest, Southwest, and Alaska to serve around 1.7 million customers. The acquisition will broaden AT&T's cellular coverage, resulting in improved mobile service for iPhone owners in less populated areas.
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06/29, 11:00pm reply
Not just iPhone users...
greenG4
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
As a Dobson customer...
07/01, 04:19am reply
...I'm thrilled. My family's been customers of Cellular One (Dobson's branding for the more rural areas of the Northeast) for almost 20 years now. My only non-Dobson experience has been with AT&T, which was very positive as well. Hopefully, it's two great tastes which go great together in this case.
I do wonder if they'd re-brand Cell one as AT&T, or if they'll keep the separate branding. I know Cell One uses the same technologies as AT&T - EDGE wireless, SIM Cards and GSM phones - so hopefully it's just logo re-branding. But I'd love to have iPhones through Cell One, or better, become AT&T members so I could get a larger selection of phones (Cell One is harsh if your like me and dislike Flip Phones).
Saint_Stryfe
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001