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Ntelos sheds PCS spectrum

WAYNESBORO, Va.-Continuing its sale of what it calls excess spectrum, Ntelos Inc. signed two separate definitive agreements to sell certain personal communications services licenses.

The first agreement calls for Ntelos to sell a 10-megahertz D-block license for the Altoona, Pa., BTA covering approximately 225,000 potential customers; a 10-megahertz D-block license for the Johnstown, Pa., BTA covering about 236,000 pops; and a 10-megahertz E-block license for the Wheeling, W.Va., BTA covering approximately 211,000 pops to AT&T Wireless Services Inc.

Ntelos said it will still own 15 megahertz of spectrum in Altoona and 30 megahertz of spectrum in Wheeling after the sale.

In a separate agreement, Highland Cellular Inc. agreed to acquire a 10-megahertz A-block licenses for the Charleston, W.Va., BTA, excluding the counties of Kanawha and Putnam; a 10-megahertz B-block and 10-megahertz F-block license in the Beckley, W.Va., BTA; and a 10-megahertz B-block license in Bluefield, W.Va. These licenses cover approximately 570,000 pops.

Ntelos said it would keep 20 megahertz of spectrum in Beckley and Bluefield and 30 megahertz in Charleston after the sale.

Last week Triton PCS Holdings Inc. acquired 10 megahertz of Ntelos’ C-block license in the Charlottesville, W.Va., BTA covering 215,000 pops and 10 megahertz of Ntelos’ C-block licenses in the Winchester, W.Va., BTA covering 158,000 pops. Ntelos said the combined transactions will generate $18 million in gross proceeds for the company.

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