Interesting comment by GP Beebe
Some analysts believe Alltel, which leads the rural market but is ranked a distant No. 5 against its bigger national rivals, may become an acquisition target for companies like Verizon Communications, which has a majority stake in Verizon Wireless, the No. 2 U.S. mobile firm.
"I think I'm glad I'm us and not Verizon," said Beebe in response to a question on this. He noted that while Alltel is free of its wireline business, investor reactions to Verizon's wireless growth are tempered by its wireline business.
Beebe said it was unclear if Alltel would be a buyer or a seller in the future.
"I think consolidation will continue in the industry. Whether its above us or below us I don't know," he said. "We've grown a great business and at ...
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"I think I'm glad I'm us and not Verizon," said Beebe in response to a question on this. He noted that while Alltel is free of its wireline business, investor reactions to Verizon's wireless growth are tempered by its wireline business.
Beebe said it was unclear if Alltel would be a buyer or a seller in the future.
"I think consolidation will continue in the industry. Whether its above us or below us I don't know," he said. "We've grown a great business and at ...
(continues)
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Good comments made, and it shows the forsight that was put into the growth and devlopment of Alltel.
I think that Alltel will pick up two more smaller carriers within 18 months or so (likely Cricket or maybe Ntelos[for the network holdings in WV and western Virginia]), maybe even look outside the U.S to Canada or into Mexico (rumor).
I don't see being purchased in the near future, but maybe on the other side of 2010 if growth stalls, and they don't move up into the top three, I can see it as a real likelyhood.
I think that Alltel will pick up two more smaller carriers within 18 months or so (likely Cricket or maybe Ntelos[for the network holdings in WV and western Virginia]), maybe even look outside the U.S to Canada or into Mexico (rumor).
I don't see being purchased in the near future, but maybe on the other side of 2010 if growth stalls, and they don't move up into the top three, I can see it as a real likelyhood.
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my feeling is that tmobile is available for the right price! A customer of alltel's told me that his son is consulting with scott ford for the last six months and that tmobile's larger markets are very appealing to alltel, despite the differences in their technologies. Sanyo is reported to be working on a tri band phone that is cdma, pcs, and gsm. that could solve that problem. Either way, alltel is buying! no reason to sell a very profitable wireline business just to hold on to 9 billion!!!
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