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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report
September 3, 1999
WESTERN WIRELESS CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Washington
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
000-28160 91-1638901
(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
3650 131st Avenue SE
Bellevue, WA 98006
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (425) 586-8700
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
On September 2, 1999, Western Wireless Corporation issued the following press
release:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Investment Community: Media:
Gina Haggerty John Snyder
(425) 586-8671 Snyder Buscher Group
[email protected] (206) 652-9704
[email protected]
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WESTERN WIRELESS ANNOUNCES THE ACQUISITION OF THREE RURAL SERVICE AREAS
BELLEVUE, WA (September 2, 1999) - Western Wireless Corporation (NASDAQ:
WWCA), a leading provider of wireless communications services, announced today
that it has executed definitive agreements with K.O. Communications, Inc.,
NetWireless L.L.C. and American Rural Cellular, Inc. whereby Western Wireless
will acquire Rural Service Area (RSA) licenses and related assets for Texas 7,
Arkansas 11 and Utah 5, which cover approximately 520,000 people. The
transactions are valued at approximately $195 million. The markets served
approximately 27,000 subscribers and produced approximately $7.8 million in
EBITDA for the 6 months ended June 30, 1999.
"The acquisition of these markets furthers Western's mission to become the
premier communications provider in the United States," said Mikal Thomsen,
president and chief operating officer of Western Wireless. "The markets are
underpenetrated relative to other markets in their areas and contain significant
stretches of Interstate highway. These markets will allow us to expand coverage
areas to our existing wireless subscribers as well as provide new opportunities
for the subscribers in each of the new markets. We are excited by the
opportunity to build on the outstanding foundation provided by our predecessors
and to continue to realize the outstanding potential these markets hold."
Consummation of the transactions is subject to regulatory approvals.
Western Wireless expects the closing of the transactions to occur in the fourth
quarter of 1999.
Based in Bellevue, Washington, Western Wireless Corporation is a leading
provider of wireless communication services in the western United States, as
well as internationally. It currently offers cellular service marketed under
the Cellular One name in 18 western states. Through its subsidiaries, Western
Wireless also holds licenses to offer wireless service in 7 countries.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
WESTERN WIRELESS CORPORATION
Dated: September 3, 1999
By /s/ Alan R. Bender
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Alan R. Bender
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
