OKLAHOMA CITY-Dobson Communications Corp.’s subsidiary American Cellular Corp. said it agreed to purchase Highland Cellular L.L.C. for $95 million. Highland provides wireless service to approximately 51,000 customers in parts of West Virginia and Virginia, markets south of existing Dobson operations.
The deal includes a 25-megahertz license in the 850 MHz band covering 352,000 potential customers in West Virginia RSA 7, McDowell and Wyoming counties in West Virginia RSA 6, and Bland and Tazewell counties in West Virginia RSA 2. Highland has been offering GSM, TDMA and analog service in the area under the Cellular One brand using 75 cell sites.
Highland also owns 1.9 GHz spectrum covering West Virginia RSA 5, McDowell and Wyoming counties in West Virginia RSA 6, most of West Virginia RSA 7 and six additional adjacent counties in Virginia.
The deal is expected to close later this year.
