OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 14, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Dobson Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DCEL) through its operating subsidiary, American Cellular Corporation, announced today that it has acquired the non-license wireless assets of Endless Mountains Wireless, LLC in Pennsylvania 4 Rural Service Area (RSA).
Dobson will operate the acquired spectrum under a spectrum manager lease for Endless Mountains' licensed 850 MHz spectrum. In March 2006, Dobson will have the right to acquire Endless Mountains' 850 MHz license for Pennsylvania 4 RSA, subject to FCC approval at the time of acquisition. If exercised, Dobson's acquisition of the license covering the leased spectrum is expected to close in mid-to-late 2006. The total purchase price for all acquired assets, including the FCC license, is $12.2 million.
Pennsylvania 4 RSA encompasses a population (POPs) of approximately 98,000, all of which are incremental to Dobson's current service area in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania 4 RSA includes the cities of Sayre and Tunkhannock, which are northwest of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area. Dobson already serves the Erie and Sharon MSAs and all or part of the Pennsylvania 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 and 10 RSAs.
Endless Mountains currently provides GSM wireless service to less than 1,000 subscribers. Dobson plans to upgrade the network with GPRS/EDGE data capability, consistent with its network elsewhere in the United States. The Company will offer products and services in the new market under the Cellular One(r) brand.
Dobson Communications is a leading provider of wireless phone services to rural markets in the United States. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the Company owns wireless operations in 16 states, with markets covering a population of 11.9 million. The Company serves approximately 1.6 million customers. For additional information on the Company and its operations, please visit its Web site at http://www.dobson.net
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans, intentions and expectations. Such statements are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks include, but are not limited to the possibility that the FCC might disapprove transfer of the Endless Mountains 850 MHz license to Dobson. A more extensive discussion of the risk factors that could impact these areas and the Company's overall business and financial performance can be found in the Company's reports and other filings filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the registration statement relating to the Exchange Offer. Given these concerns, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.