NEW YORK-AT&T Wireless Services Inc. network partner Triton PCS Holdings Inc. said it was looking at expanding its footprint in the wake of the pending acquisition of AWS by Cingular Wireless L.L.C., according to a Reuters report.
Triton Chairman Michael Kalogris said the carrier would be interested in any potential divested markets from the deal situated around Triton’s current southeast footprint.
“I think we become an acquirer as part of this process,” Kalogris said. “Some of those (potentially) divested markets, particularly in Florida would be interesting.”
Kalogris added that while its current affiliate agreement prevented AWS from competing against Triton in six southeastern states until 2009, and that he expected the agreement to continue after Cingular completes its $41 billion acquisition of AWS later this year, Triton was in talks with Cingular regarding how the non-compete agreement would be honored.
Some analysts have forecast the federal government would require Cingular to divest some of its holdings following its acquisition of AWS, though Cingular’s management said it was confident it could present a compelling case that divestitures would not be necessary. The two companies noted in their deal that either party could call off the acquisition if the combined company was forced to divest more than $8.25 billion in assets to complete the transaction.
