They sure didn’t waste any time in putting their newly acquired markets to good use. Having just taken over all of Dobson Communications’ infrastructure and licenses , is bringing the iPhone to all former Cellular One (formerly owned by Dobson Communcations) markets. AT&T has started to convert 200 Cellular One stores across 16 states into the more familiar AT&T Stores, and will start to offer their stable of mobile phones to all former Cellular One subscribers.  The transition is expected to be completed in 2008. With the transition, Alaska will finally be getting the iPhone. AT&T is bringing the iPhone to Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau starting tomorrow (Sunday). What better way to spend a snowed-in day in Alaska than by playing with a brand-new iPhone? [Via: Apple Insider ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:AT&T hires additional 2,000 workers for Apple iPhone launch!Calling all Apple iPhone owners - is your AT&T EDGE network still down?Could Nokia be behind the anonymous order for 8 million iPhone touchscreens from Balda?AT&T Rushing to Re-brand Cingular as AT&T in Anticipation of Apple iPhone LaunchAT&T COO calls Apple iPhone Revolutionary - [...]

Network carriers are notorious for slinging mud in their rivals’ direction at any opportunity. It’s a dog-eat-dog business world, after all. So, what’s the only thing that can get the two biggest rivals in the US wireless market to work together? Mutually beneficial business arrangements, of course. You see, the FCC laid down a couple ground-rules when they approved AT&T’s acquisition of Dobson Communications for a cool $2.8 billion . AT&T had to agree to forgo rights to the Cellular One brand name that was previously controlled by Dobson Communications - they’ll be selling that brand-name to Trilogy Partners. Additionally, the FCC is requiring that AT&T offload some of recently acquired Cellular One’s rural-market assets. So, with Verizon Wireless’s planned acquisition of Rural Cellular Corporation for $757 million in mid-2008, AT&T and Verizon Wireless have agreed to tap each other’s, ahem, assets - by which we mean the two companies will be selling each other a portion of their recently acquired assets (what did you think we meant?). Verizon will be selling a portion of Rural Cellular’s licenses and network infrastructure (and the subscribers that come with those assets) to rival AT&T. On the flip-side, AT&T will be selling about 10Mhz of formerly Dobson-owned frequency spectrum to Verizon Wireless. Interestingly, AT&T will also be giving Verizon Wireless some additional cash - in the consumer world, we call this a “rebate.” It’s not clear just how big a rebate Verizon Wireless will get from their 10Mhz spectrum purchase - but it makes sense, seeing as how AT&T will net about 133,000 subscribers from this swap, while Verizon Wireless will only net approximately 100,000. Isn’t it nice to see network operators get in bed together? Just ignore the fact that AT&T basically had to pay Verizon Wireless to play their little game. [Via: EETimes ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Verizon buys Ramcell network in Oregon and Kentucky - expands rural network coverageMastercard PayPass trials new mobile Tap N Go system in NYCVerizon XV6800 available for online/phone ordersAmp'd mobile is finally dead, selling assetsVerizon: We don't need no iPhone "killer" - we have better services!

AT&T’s little acquisition deal to buyout Dobson Communications back in July has finally gotten the go-ahead from the FCC overlords. The $2.8 billion buyout will net AT&T all of Dobson’s wireless licenses and the carrier’s 1.6 million-or-so rural wireless subscribers - firmly securing AT&T Mobility’s position as the leading US wireless carrier. The FCC has stipulated that AT&T Mobility will have to forgo rights to Dobson Communication’s Cellular One brand and offload assets in a couple rural markets in Pennsylvania and Texas. Some of the commissioners dissented to parts of the deal, citing concerns over the condition of the wireless market as we approach the 700Mhz frequency spectrum auction early next year.  With AT&T spending gobs of cash prior to the 700Mhz frequency auction , we can’t see them securing the winning bid this coming January. AT&T might regret letting the likes of Apple or Google buying the high-sought spectrum - especially since the 700Mhz band has been globally adopted as the home to next-gen mobile broadband services. [Via: RCRNews ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:AT&T buys Dobson Communications for $2.8 BillionAT&T Vu, Sony Ericsson K850i, iPhone Business Edition coming soonAlltel gets FCC approval for private acquisition deal worth $24.7 BillionFCC approves the Nokia E51FCC to change rules for upcoming 700Mhz frequency spectrum auction