AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless swap markets: Deal linked to rural acquisitions

AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless have agreed to swap wireless assets as part of previously announced acquisitions: Verizon Wireless’ pending acquisition of Rural Cellular Corp. and AT&T Mobility recently approved purchase of Dobson Communications Corp.
The swap calls for AT&T Mobility to pick up some former RCC licenses, network assets and subscribers in the Burlington, Vt., area. A Vermont senator and public-interest group have been involved in opposing Verizon Wireless’ acquisition of RCC. AT&T Mobility will also get one rural service area in New York, two in Vermont and two in Washington state, as well as a cellular license from Verizon Wireless in Kentucky.
Meanwhile, Verizon Wireless will acquire some former Dobson assets, including two Rural Service Areas in Kentucky along with 10 megahertz of 1.9 GHz spectrum in an undisclosed number of markets and some additional cash from AT&T Mobility.
AT&T Mobility recently closed on its buyout of Dobson, and as part of the divestiture requirements the company also agreed to sell Dobson’s assets in a Texas rural service area to MTPCS L.L.C. as well as portions of an RSA in Oklahoma. The company also will sell the Cellular One brand to Trilogy Partners.