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{{Short description|United States telecommunications brand name}} |
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[[Image:Cellular One logo.svg|300px|thumb|Cellular One logo]] |
[[Image:Cellular One logo.svg|300px|thumb|Cellular One logo]] |
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'''Cellular One''' is the trademarked brand name that licenses services (radio frequencies for telecommunications) used by several cellular service providers in the [[United States]]. The brand was sold to Trilogy Partners by [[AT&T]] in 2008 shortly after AT&T had completed its acquisition of [[Dobson Communications]]. Cellular One was originally the trade name of one of the first mobile telephone service providers. |
'''Cellular One''' is the trademarked brand name that licenses services (radio frequencies for telecommunications) used by several cellular service providers in the [[United States]]. The brand was sold to Trilogy Partners by [[AT&T]] in 2008 shortly after AT&T had completed its acquisition of [[Dobson Communications]]. Cellular One was originally the trade name of one of the first mobile telephone service providers. |
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Several customers lost their promotion deals which included gift cards. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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In 1977, the American Radio Telephone Service and [[Motorola]] formed Cellular One to offer services to the [[Baltimore]]/[[Washington, D.C.]], area. Cellular service began in the Baltimore/DC area in December 1983.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QDaax4mFMpcC&q=cellularone+1977&pg=PA55|title=New Product Success Stories: Lessons from Leading Innovators|last=Thomas|first=Robert J.|date=1995|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=9780471013204|language=en}}</ref> |
In 1977, the American Radio Telephone Service and [[Motorola]] formed Cellular One to offer services to the [[Baltimore]]/[[Washington, D.C.]], area. Cellular service began in the Baltimore/DC area in December 1983.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QDaax4mFMpcC&q=cellularone+1977&pg=PA55|title=New Product Success Stories: Lessons from Leading Innovators|last=Thomas|first=Robert J.|date=1995|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=9780471013204|language=en}}</ref> |
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In July 1986, it was announced that [[Metromedia Inc]]. would sell its 55 percent stake in Cellular One to [[Southwestern Bell]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1986/07/01/metromedia-sells-mobile-phone-interest/1042d446-e629-451b-aac1-b79aa5efe9c1/|title=Metromedia Sells Mobile Phone Interest|date=1986-07-01| |
In July 1986, it was announced that [[Metromedia Inc]]. would sell its 55 percent stake in Cellular One to [[Southwestern Bell]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1986/07/01/metromedia-sells-mobile-phone-interest/1042d446-e629-451b-aac1-b79aa5efe9c1/|title=Metromedia Sells Mobile Phone Interest|date=1986-07-01|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Southwestern Bell later joined into a partnership with [[McCaw Cellular|McCaw Communications]] and Vanguard Cellular Systems called Cellular One Group, which the companies stated would help create a unified cellular network.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1994-08-12/business/fi-26530_1_southwestern-bell|title=TELECOMMUNICATIONS : McCaw Cellular, Southwestern Bell Hold Marketing Talks|agency=Reuters|date=1994-08-12|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> Cellular One Group was eventually opened to include all A-side providers. Under the US [[Advanced Mobile Phone System|AMPS]] allocation, A-side providers were independent wireless operators, while B-side providers were usually affiliates of the local landline telephone company.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.nap.edu/read/5968/chapter/3|doi=10.17226/5968|title=The Evolution of Untethered Communications|year=1997|publisher=National Academies Press |isbn=978-0-309-05946-6}}</ref> By 1995, Cellular One affiliates had over 5 million customers and affiliates' towers that served approximately 69% of the US population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cellularone.com/PR_network.html |title=Cellular One Press Release |website=cellularone.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980120092823/http://cellularone.com/PR_network.html |archive-date=20 January 1998 |url-status=dead}}</ref> AT&T purchased McCaw Cellular in 1994; shortly thereafter, AT&T renamed the former McCaw providers "AT&T Wireless" and dropped out of the partnership. [[Western Wireless]] joined the partnership in 1999, and in 2001, the Cellular One group name became the sole property of Western Wireless.{{Citation needed|date=October 2018}} |
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===Western Wireless=== |
===Western Wireless=== |
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!Notes |
!Notes |
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| Northeastern [[Arizona]] |
| Northeastern [[Arizona]], Northwestern [[New Mexico]], Southern Colorado, and Southern Utah || Cellular One of North East Arizona || [https://mycellularone.com/ mycellularone.com] || Smith Bagley Inc. || [[Elizabeth Frawley Bagley]] and children<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wireless2.fcc.gov/ownerQryDetail/ownership-search-results-detail.htm?applId=9443259|title=Indirect Ownership, Ownership, 01/28/2016|date=2016-01-28|access-date=2016-06-27|publisher=FCC}}</ref> |
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|Partner with Tier 1 carriers to offer Nationwide coverage |
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| Louisiana and Texas || Cellular One || [http://www.cellonenation.com/ cellonenation.com] || Central Louisiana Cellular, LLC, and Texas 10 LLC || [[Alta Communications]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wireless2.fcc.gov/ownerQryDetail/ownership-search-results-detail.htm?applId=7244058|title=Indirect Ownership, Ownership, 10/18/2012|date=2012-10-18|access-date=2016-06-27|publisher=FCC}}</ref> |
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|Southwestern New York |
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|CellOne |
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|[http://cellone.com cellone.com] |
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|Buffalo-Lake Erie Wireless Systems Co., LLC |
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|Dr. Michael C. Gelfand and family |
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|More territory covered under the Blue Wireless brand |
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==Former Cellular One partners== |
==Former Cellular One partners== |
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===Partners that went out of business without acquisition of itself or its assets=== |
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* Central Louisiana Wireless, LLC dba Cellular One |
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===Independent wireless providers=== |
===Independent wireless providers=== |
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⚫ | * [[Indigo Wireless]] (Formerly Cellular One of West Nebraska, and Cellular One of north central [[Pennsylvania]]) |
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* Viaero Wireless (Formerly Cellular One of Northeast Colorado) |
* Viaero Wireless (Formerly Cellular One of Northeast Colorado) |
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* Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative |
* Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative |
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* [[US Cellular]] (Formerly Madison Cellular Telephone Co. and Westel Milwaukee Company, Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cellular1to1.com/sweep.html |title= |
* [[US Cellular]] (Formerly Madison Cellular Telephone Co. and Westel Milwaukee Company, Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cellular1to1.com/sweep.html |title=Sweepstakes Rules |access-date=2019-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970704040245/http://www.cellular1to1.com/sweep.html |archive-date=1997-07-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> of [[BellSouth Mobility]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/ApplicationSearch/applMain.jsp;JSESSIONID_APPSEARCH=M1BlZt2TyWvPG3QR5gQrvM7KLnGz4jL7zLMJGyqgJYnnwKcJ543B!-1891113741!NONE?applID=326526|title = ULS Application - Cellular - 0000054231 - WESTEL-MILWAUKEE COMPANY, INC. BELLSOUTH MOBILITY INC}}</ref>) - Wisconsin and northern Illinois<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-69564291.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004190301/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-69564291.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-10-04|title=CHICAGO COMPANY GAINS CONTROL OF CELLULAR ONE.(Business Thursday)|date=1997-02-06|access-date=2017-03-03|publisher=HighBeam Research}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/u-s-cellular-corporation-history/|title=U.S. Cellular Corporation History|access-date=2017-03-03|publisher=Funding Universe}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://uscc.com/USCellular_bystate/WI |title=United States Cellular Territory |access-date=2019-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990209002209/http://uscc.com/USCellular_bystate/WI |archive-date=1999-02-09 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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===Partners acquired by |
===Partners acquired by Atlantic Tele-Network=== |
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* Choice Wireless, LLC - Texas and Oklahoma |
* Choice Wireless, LLC - Texas and Oklahoma |
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* One Communications (Formerly Cell One of Bermuda)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bernews.com/2016/11/video-two-into-one-equals-new-unified-brand/|title=Logic, CellOne Combine: 'One Communications'}}</ref> |
* One Communications (Formerly Cell One of Bermuda)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bernews.com/2016/11/video-two-into-one-equals-new-unified-brand/|title=Logic, CellOne Combine: 'One Communications'|date=November 2016}}</ref> |
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===Partners acquired by Verizon Wireless=== |
===Partners acquired by Verizon Wireless=== |
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* Contel Cellular/GTE Mobilnet (operated under the Cellular One name in most of [[Tennessee]], north-west [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], northern [[Alabama]], and north central [[Kentucky]]; dropped the Cellular One name and switched to the [[GTE]] Wireless name in the late 1990s) |
* Contel Cellular/GTE Mobilnet (operated under the Cellular One name in most of [[Tennessee]], north-west [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], northern [[Alabama]], and north central [[Kentucky]]; dropped the Cellular One name and switched to the [[GTE]] Wireless name in the late 1990s) |
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* Cell One Kansas City: Owned and operated by [[Airtouch]], morphed into Verizon at launch in 2000 |
* Cell One Kansas City: Owned and operated by [[Airtouch]], morphed into Verizon at launch in 2000 |
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* Cellular One of Northeast Pennsylvania [[Wayne County, Pennsylvania|Wayne]] and [[Pike County, Pennsylvania|Pike]] counties, [[Pennsylvania]] (South Canaan Cellular, owned by [[US Cellular]] until [[Verizon Wireless]] acquisition)<ref>http://news.verizonwireless.com/news/2012/03/pr2012-03-14v.html</ref> |
* Cellular One of Northeast Pennsylvania [[Wayne County, Pennsylvania|Wayne]] and [[Pike County, Pennsylvania|Pike]] counties, [[Pennsylvania]] (South Canaan Cellular, owned by [[US Cellular]] until [[Verizon Wireless]] acquisition)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Sheldon |date=2012-03-15 |title=Verizon Wireless Completes Purchase Of Cellular One Of Northeast Pennsylvania |url=http://news.verizonwireless.com/news/2012/03/pr2012-03-14v.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520202056/http://news.verizonwireless.com/news/2012/03/pr2012-03-14v.html |archive-date=2012-05-20}}</ref> |
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'''Verizon properties Originally acquired by Alltel prior to the January 2009 merger''' |
'''Verizon properties Originally acquired by Alltel prior to the January 2009 merger''' |
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* [[Centennial Communications]] (operated under the Cellular One name in northern Indiana, Louisiana, southwest Michigan, and Mississippi; later dropped the Cellular One name and rebranded as Centennial Wireless; company acquired by AT&T in 2009 with most Mississippi and Louisiana assets divested to Verizon Wireless) |
* [[Centennial Communications]] (operated under the Cellular One name in northern Indiana, Louisiana, southwest Michigan, and Mississippi; later dropped the Cellular One name and rebranded as Centennial Wireless; company acquired by AT&T in 2009 with most Mississippi and Louisiana assets divested to Verizon Wireless) |
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* Santa Cruz Cellular Telephone Company, Santa Cruz County, CA (purchased by Dobson in the mid-1990s sold to AT&T in approximately 2002)-This was a key purchase for AT&T as only missing holes in O&O Northern California coverage were San Benito & Santa Cruz counties, owned then, by Dobson. |
* Santa Cruz Cellular Telephone Company, Santa Cruz County, CA (purchased by Dobson in the mid-1990s sold to AT&T in approximately 2002)-This was a key purchase for AT&T as only missing holes in O&O Northern California coverage were San Benito & Santa Cruz counties, owned then, by Dobson. |
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* Easterbrooke Cellular, Elkins, WV- Purchased on January 3, 2008 to expand coverage in West Virginia |
* Easterbrooke Cellular, Elkins, WV- Purchased on January 3, 2008, to expand coverage in West Virginia |
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* [[Dobson Communications]] acquisitions |
* [[Dobson Communications]] acquisitions |
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** PriCellular (New York, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, West Virginia, Tennessee) — Acquired by American Cellular |
** PriCellular (New York, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, West Virginia, Tennessee) — Acquired by American Cellular in March 1998<ref>{{cite news |title=Cellular firms ring up deal |work=CNNMoney |publisher=[[Cable News Network|CNN]] |date=1998-03-09 |url=https://money.cnn.com/1998/03/09/deals/cellular/ |access-date=2012-05-31}}</ref> |
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** American Cellular — Purchased August 2003<ref>{{cite press release |title=Dobson Communications Completes Acquisition Of American Cellular Corporation; Creates Ninth Largest U.S. Wireless Provider |format=An ad script in the page contains a faulty redirect (See below). |agency=Prime Newswire |publisher=Primezone (via ArriveNet) |date=2003-08-19 |url=http://press.arrivenet.com/business/article.php/259505.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070930190039/http://press.arrivenet.com/business/article.php/259505.html |archive-date=2007-09-30}} To view the page, do either of the following: |
** American Cellular — Purchased August 2003<ref>{{cite press release |title=Dobson Communications Completes Acquisition Of American Cellular Corporation; Creates Ninth Largest U.S. Wireless Provider |format=An ad script in the page contains a faulty redirect (See below). |agency=Prime Newswire |publisher=Primezone (via ArriveNet) |date=2003-08-19 |url=http://press.arrivenet.com/business/article.php/259505.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070930190039/http://press.arrivenet.com/business/article.php/259505.html |archive-date=2007-09-30}} To view the page, do either of the following: |
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*Temporarily turn off JavaScript, or |
*Temporarily turn off JavaScript, or |
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*disable JavaScript for just web.archive.org, or |
*disable JavaScript for just web.archive.org, or |
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*view the archive.org page in a browser that does not use JavaScript, such as [[Lynx (web browser)|Lynx]] or [[Dillo]].</ref> |
*view the archive.org page in a browser that does not use JavaScript, such as [[Lynx (web browser)|Lynx]] or [[Dillo]].</ref> |
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** RFB Cellular, Inc (Cellular One of Northeast Michigan) — Purchased by Dobson Communications |
** RFB Cellular, Inc (Cellular One of Northeast Michigan) — Purchased by Dobson Communications in December 2004<ref>{{cite press release |title=Dobson Communications Purchases RFB Cellular, Inc. Assets in Northern Michigan |publisher=Dobson Communications Corporation (via irconnect.com) |date=2004-12-29 |url=http://www.irconnect.com/dcel/pages/news_releases.html?d=70112 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090227035540/http://www.irconnect.com/dcel/pages/news_releases.html?d=70112 |archive-date=2009-02-27}}</ref> |
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** Highland Cellular ([[Virginia|VA]], [[West Virginia|WV]]) — Purchased in October 2006 by American Cellular (a subsidiary of Dobson Communications)<ref>{{cite news |title=American Cellular buys Highland for $95M |agency=Associated Press |work=boston.com Business |publisher=The Boston Globe |date=2006-10-05 |url=http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2006/10/05/american_cellular_buys_highland_for_95m/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090302012220/http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2006/10/05/american_cellular_buys_highland_for_95m/ |archive-date=2009-03-02}}</ref> |
** Highland Cellular ([[Virginia|VA]], [[West Virginia|WV]]) — Purchased in October 2006 by American Cellular (a subsidiary of Dobson Communications)<ref>{{cite news |title=American Cellular buys Highland for $95M |agency=Associated Press |work=boston.com Business |publisher=The Boston Globe |date=2006-10-05 |url=http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2006/10/05/american_cellular_buys_highland_for_95m/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090302012220/http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2006/10/05/american_cellular_buys_highland_for_95m/ |archive-date=2009-03-02}}</ref> |
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* Cellular Communications of Puerto Rico, Inc (Cellular One Puerto Rico, also serves [[U.S. Virgin Islands]]) — Acquired by SBC Communications and [[Telmex]] for $814 million in 1999,<ref>{{cite web |title=SBC COMMUNICATIONS AND TELMEX TO ACQUIRE CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS OF PUERTO RICO |work=Press Release |publisher=SEC Info |date=1999-05-03 |url=http://www.secinfo.com/dvFqh.6y.b.htm |access-date=2012-05-31}}</ref><ref name="AMERICA-MOVIL-SAB-DE-CV-Jul-2001-20-F">{{cite web|url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/862/0000950130-01-502841.pdf |title=AMERICA MOVIL SAB DE CV, Form 20-F, Filing Date Jul 2, 2001 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date =May 15, 2018}}</ref> switched to the Cingular brand when SBC and BellSouth formed Cingular.<ref name="CINGULAR-WIRELESS-LLC-Mar-2003-10-K">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2263/95014403002920/filing-main.htm |title=CINGULAR WIRELESS LLC, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Mar 11, 2003 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date =May 15, 2018}}</ref> |
* Cellular Communications of Puerto Rico, Inc (Cellular One Puerto Rico, also serves [[U.S. Virgin Islands]]) — Acquired by SBC Communications and [[Telmex]] for $814 million in 1999,<ref>{{cite web |title=SBC COMMUNICATIONS AND TELMEX TO ACQUIRE CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS OF PUERTO RICO |work=Press Release |publisher=SEC Info |date=1999-05-03 |url=http://www.secinfo.com/dvFqh.6y.b.htm |access-date=2012-05-31}}</ref><ref name="AMERICA-MOVIL-SAB-DE-CV-Jul-2001-20-F">{{cite web|url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/862/0000950130-01-502841.pdf |title=AMERICA MOVIL SAB DE CV, Form 20-F, Filing Date Jul 2, 2001 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date =May 15, 2018}}</ref> switched to the Cingular brand when SBC and BellSouth formed Cingular.<ref name="CINGULAR-WIRELESS-LLC-Mar-2003-10-K">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2263/95014403002920/filing-main.htm |title=CINGULAR WIRELESS LLC, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Mar 11, 2003 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date =May 15, 2018}}</ref> |
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* [[Edge Wireless]] (AT&T Affiliate merged into AT&T in April 2008). Edge Wireless served Northern California, Southern Oregon, Southeastern and Southcentral Idaho and Jackson, Wyoming. |
* [[Edge Wireless]] (AT&T Affiliate merged into AT&T in April 2008). Edge Wireless served Northern California, Southern Oregon, Southeastern and Southcentral Idaho and Jackson, Wyoming. |
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* Cellular One of East Central [[Illinois]] (Cellular Properties Inc.), purchased in 2016. |
* Cellular One of East Central [[Illinois]] (Cellular Properties Inc.), purchased in 2016. |
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⚫ | * [[Indigo Wireless]] (Formerly Cellular One of West Nebraska, and Cellular One of north central [[Pennsylvania]]) Went out of business in 2023, sold its spectrum licenses to AT&T |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [ |
* [https://mycellularone.com/ Cellular One, LLC] homepage |
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* [http://thisisarecording.com/cellular-one/ Archive of Cellular One Intercept Messages] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist|refs=https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.smith_bagley_inc.e826bfe7bc6d200c17c3888a9f05defd.html}} |
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{{reflist}} |
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{{US mobile phone companies}} |
{{US mobile phone companies}} |
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Cellular One is the trademarked brand name that licenses services (radio frequencies for telecommunications) used by several cellular service providers in the United States. The brand was sold to Trilogy Partners by AT&T in 2008 shortly after AT&T had completed its acquisition of Dobson Communications. Cellular One was originally the trade name of one of the first mobile telephone service providers.
Several customers lost their promotion deals which included gift cards.
In 1977, the American Radio Telephone Service and Motorola formed Cellular One to offer services to the Baltimore/Washington, D.C., area. Cellular service began in the Baltimore/DC area in December 1983.[1]
In July 1986, it was announced that Metromedia Inc. would sell its 55 percent stake in Cellular One to Southwestern Bell.[2] Southwestern Bell later joined into a partnership with McCaw Communications and Vanguard Cellular Systems called Cellular One Group, which the companies stated would help create a unified cellular network.[3] Cellular One Group was eventually opened to include all A-side providers. Under the US AMPS allocation, A-side providers were independent wireless operators, while B-side providers were usually affiliates of the local landline telephone company.[4] By 1995, Cellular One affiliates had over 5 million customers and affiliates' towers that served approximately 69% of the US population.[5] AT&T purchased McCaw Cellular in 1994; shortly thereafter, AT&T renamed the former McCaw providers "AT&T Wireless" and dropped out of the partnership. Western Wireless joined the partnership in 1999, and in 2001, the Cellular One group name became the sole property of Western Wireless.[citation needed]
Western Wireless operated under the Cellular One brand prior to being purchased by Alltel in August 2005.
The Cellular One brand name was also used by Dobson Cellular in various rural markets in the continental US and in Alaska. In December 2005, Dobson purchased the rights to the Cellular One name from Alltel. However, their services were completely unrelated. Dobson used a TDMA and GSM network; Western Wireless used a GSM, AMPS, TDMA and CDMA network. As of 15 November 2007, Dobson was acquired by AT&T Inc., except several areas still operated under the Cellular One brand name.[clarification needed] The Cellular One brand was sold to Trilogy Partners as a result of the terms of the acquisition agreement.
Market | Name | Web site | Holding company | Owners | Notes |
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Northeastern Arizona, Northwestern New Mexico, Southern Colorado, and Southern Utah | Cellular One of North East Arizona | mycellularone.com | Smith Bagley Inc. | Elizabeth Frawley Bagley and children[6] | Partner with Tier 1 carriers to offer Nationwide coverage |
Verizon properties Originally acquired by Alltel prior to the January 2009 merger