PITTSBURGH-Communications pioneer Jack N. Berkman, founder and chairman of The Associated Group Inc., died Aug. 3 at his New York City home. He was 90.
Berkman led Associated Communications Corp. in 1983 to build and operate one of the first cellular phone systems in the nation. Last year, Associated merged its cellular systems-known as Cellular One in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, New York and Pittsburgh-into SBC Communications Inc. The transaction was valued at $700 million.
The Associated Group was spun off from Associated Communications last December. The Associated Group has significant holdings in cable TV giant Tele-Communications Inc., an equity interest in a personal communications services licensee in New York City, holds an interest in Mexican cellular operator Portatel del Sureste S.A. de C.V. and Mexican specialized mobile radio operator Corporacion Mobilcom S.A. de C.V., and owns Associated Communications of Los Angeles, which operates a digital microwave network.
