AT&T Purchases Edge Wireless

by Heather McLaughlin

AT&T recently announced that they have purchased Edge Wireless, a regional wireless carrier that operates in the Pacific Northwest. Edge Wireless has approximately 172,000 subscribers.

AT&T has held a minority stake in the company since its inception in 2000. Under this agreement, AT&T will purchase the remaining 64.3% of the company.

The addition of Edge Wireless’ GSM network will complement AT&T’s existing GSM networks in Northern California, Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming. AT&T customers will enjoy broader in-network coverage in these areas, and Edge Wireless customers will gain access to AT&T’s full portfolio of products and services as well as AT&T’s fully integrated GSM network, which now covers more than 290 million people in 13,000 U.S. cities and towns.

The sale hinges on regulatory approval and is expected to close by mid 2008.