Apple Thoughts: AT&T and Verizon Make a Deal

"AT&T on Friday confirmed plans to acquire wireless properties from rival Verizon in a bid to strengthen coverage of its 3G network in rural areas of the US stretching across some 18 states."

Since Verizon bought Alltel, these properties weren't needed so AT&T worked out a deal. This deal was for $2.35 Billion USD and means that AT&T takes control of 18 of the 24 markets Verizon is divesting itself of because of the Alltel acquisition. So AT&T gets properties, licenses, assets and about 1.5 million subscribers in 18 states. Converting the areas from CDMA to GSM will take about a year and cost $400 million USD, about a 1/6 of what it cost them to purchase the assets.

Well I'd say that this is going to improve my 3G coverage at home but sadly Oregon isn't one of the states mentioned.