ALLTEL to Purchase Western Wireless in $6 Billion Deal

ALLTEL agree to purchase Western Wireless Corporation in a stock-and-cash transaction valued at approximately $6 billion. ALLTEL will gain about 1.4 million domestic wireless customers in 19 western and midwestern states that are contiguous to existing properties, giving the company 10 million domestic wireless customers in 33 states. It also adds 1.6 million international customers in six countries.



"This transaction strengthens ALLTEL's position as the nation's top regional communications company and makes sense financially and strategically," said Scott Ford, ALLTEL president and CEO.



Western Wireless, based in Bellevue, Washington, is a rural communications provider with wireless operations in 107 markets in 19 states and international operations that are licensed to service more than 50 million people in six countries, primarily Austria and Ireland. The domestic retail stores operate under the Western Wireless and Cellular One brand names.