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Hernando Today

Verizon Purchase Of Alltel Is Complete

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: January 12, 2009

TAMPA - Verizon Wireless has just expanded its network coverage to approximately 290 million people.

By comparison, the entire U.S. population is more than 303 million people.

Last week, Verizon Wireless completed its purchase of Alltel Corp. The company announced its plans to purchase its former competitor in June 2008.

Verizon paid approximately $5.9 billion for Alltel's equity, according to a company media release.

A Verizon spokesman was not available for comment last weekend.

There is a long list of Alltel markets that need to be "divested" in the coming months, but none are located in Florida.

In the Southeast, there are several properties in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.

If the transaction shakes or refocuses Verizon's biggest competition - AT&T - no one at the company is showing it, at least not publicly.

"AT&T is pleased with our leadership in wireless," said company spokeswoman Gretchen Schultz. "AT&T leads in wireless data growth (as of the third quarter of 2008) and leads the industry in smartphone market share, including exclusives like the iPhone 3G and BlackBerry Bold.

"We offer the industry's leading portfolio of devices, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best global coverage," she continued, "so we're in an extremely strong position to continue innovating and delivering for our customers."

Verizon's acquisition will increase the company's customers by nearly 13 million. That will make it the largest wireless carrier in the country with nearly 84 million total customers, according to a media release.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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