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WESTERN WIRELESS WINS IRISH LICENSE

ISSAQUAH, Wash.-Western Wireless International, through its majority ownership interest in Meteor Mobile Communications Ltd., was awarded a license to provide Global System for Mobile communications services in Ireland.

As Ireland’s third wireless carrier, Meteor plans to provide wireless services to an estimated 3.6 million people in densely populated areas and in rural communities throughout Ireland, said Western Wireless Corp., parent company of WWI.

“Meteor will construct a dual-band network deploying GSM 1800 technology in urban areas and GSM 900 technology in rural areas,” said John Stanton, chairman and chief executive officer of Western Wireless. “This is similar to our strategy in the United States where we have successfully used the right mix of technologies to meet the needs of urban and rural markets.”

Commercial services in Ireland’s four largest population centers are expected to launch during the first half of next year, with nationwide coverage anticipated in less than three years.

“With just two wireless providers in the country and 85 percent of the population not currently using wireless phones, there are great opportunities for a third carrier,” said Brad Horwitz, president of Western Wireless.

The Meteor partnership also includes The Walter Group, a Seattle-based consulting firm and RF Communications of Ireland.

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