AT&T to Acquire Iowa's Long Lines Wireless Carrier

AT&T has acquired Iowa's Long Lines Wireless Carrier, giving the AT&T both the wireless assets (spectrum cell sites, etc) and customers of Long Lines.

While the details of the deal have not been confirmed, Long Lines does have 700 MHz, PCS and AWS spectrum licenses which will help AT&T roll out LTE to areas including Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska.

An AT&T spokesperson provided the following statement to iClarified: "As part of its commitment to providing a great mobile Internet experience, AT&T is enhancing its wireless coverage in northwestern Iowa."


AT&T expects the deal to close in late 2013 or early 2014. The company also agreed to purchase transport services from Long Lines using its fiber optic network. Long Lines has reiterated that this purchase will not affect its wireline customers and plans to reinvest in its non-wireless service offerings and fiber optic network. Long Lines launched its mobile unit in 2006 with a view to serving the rural communities and major urban areas.

AT&T recently picked up Leap Wireless as well, in an effort to snatch up even more wireless spectrum for their LTE network.

via TeleGeography Long Lines [PDF]