U.S. Cellular and AT&T Wireless complete initial exchange of wireless assets.

United States Cellular Corporation (AMEX:USM) announced recently that it has completed the initial exchange with AT&T Wireless (NYSE:AWE) of certain wireless properties that will enhance U.S. Cellular's position in several of its existing market areas.

When the transaction is fully completed, U.S. Cellular will acquire 10 and 20 MHz PCS licenses in 13 states, representing 12.2 million incremental population equivalents contiguous to existing properties and 4.4 million population equivalents that overlap existing properties. U.S. Cellular will take possession of the acquired licenses in staggered closings to comply with service requirements of the Federal Communications Commission. The initial tranche of licenses represents approximately 5.9 million incremental and 3.9 million overlapping population equivalents.

The markets acquired on Aug. 1 include Oklahoma City, Okla.; St. Louis and Springfield, Mo.; and Portland, Maine. U.S. Cellular did not acquire any customers or network facilities.

In addition to the licenses it acquired on Aug. 1, U.S. Cellular at the same time acquired AT&T Wireless minority interests in six U.S. Cellular-controlled markets and received approximately $31 million in cash, excluding a working capital adjustment.

In exchange for the current and future deliveries by AT&T Wireless, U.S. Cellular transferred wireless assets in 10 markets in Florida and Georgia to AT&T Wireless. The assets include 25MHz A block cellular licenses and the network facilities, customers and associated assets of those markets. The licenses transferred to AT&T Wireless represent 1.5 million population equivalents and include approximately 143,000 customers. U.S. Cellular is not required to deliver any further value or assets to AT&T Wireless upon the acquisition of the deferred licenses.

The two companies first announced their intention to pursue the transaction on March 10, 2003. Falkenberg Capital Corporation of Denver, Colo. represented U.S. Cellular in the transaction.

John E. Rooney, president and chief executive officer of U.S. Cellular, said, "The completion of this transaction is an excellent example of our corporate strategy. We have said that we intend to strengthen our regional footprint and build on our strengths; this exchange does just that. It gives us the opportunity to substantially improve our competitive position in our Midwest and Northeast markets. It also places us in a position to offer more competitive local and regional calling plans encompassing broader areas than we were able to do in the past. This move clearly shows that we are building on our strengths."

U.S. Cellular Corporation, the nation's eighth largest wireless service carrier, provides wireless service to more than 4.3 million customers in 150 markets throughout 26 states. The Chicago-based company operates on a customer satisfaction strategy, meeting customer needs by providing a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, superior customer support and a high-quality network.