Verizon Wireless completes RCC acquisition

Verizon Wireless announced it completed its purchase of Rural Cellular Corp., bringing to a close a yearlong transaction that sparked complaints from consumer advocates and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
Under the final agreement, Verizon Wireless placed Rural Cellular licenses and assets in Vermont, New York and parts of Washington in a management trust, presumably as an address concerns over antitrust and service availability issues.
With the close of this acquisition, Verizon Wireless acquires 625,000 more customers and expands its licensed coverage area by 4.7 million people. Verizon said it will gradually replace Rural Cellular’s Unicel brand with its own – the same goes for Rural Cellular’s retail stores, billing systems and network – and will alert affected customers with a letter about the purchase.
As Verizon Wireless works to finish its separate purchase of Alltel Communications L.L.C, the carrier is poised to regain its standing as the nation’s largest wireless provider.