Atlantic-Tele Network, which earlier this year purchased for $200 million Alltel assets divested by Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ), plans to keep the Alltel brand and maintain many of the company's well-known products, including the My Circle group calling plan. In addition, the company will continue to promote its wireless service using Alltel's TV spokesman, "Chad."
As part of Verizon Wireless' 2009 purchase of Alltel, Verizon was required by the FCC to divest certain former Alltel assets. ATN purchased some of those assets, and is operating as an independent wireless carrier in Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina, providing service to about 900,000 customers. The wireless assets are operated by Allied Wireless Communications Corp., a subsidiary of ATN, but will use the Alltel brand.
Alltel Chief Marketing Officer Lesa Handly said the company recognizes the value of the Alltel Wireless brand, which has been around for 25 years. "We ... are committed to providing our customers with the superior products, services and customer support they have come to expect from Alltel," Handly said.
In April, the FCC approved ATN's purchase of the Alltel assets, which was the last step in the regulatory approval process. At that time, ATN said it expected annual service revenues from the assets to be between $450 million and $500 million for the first twelve months following the close of the deal.
For more:
- see this statement from ATN
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